drug safety research unit drug safety research unit drug safety research unit (dsru) is an independent, non-profit organisation in the united kingdom, in the field of pharmacology. it is an associate college of the university of portsmouth, offering postgraduate qualifications in pharmacovigilance. established1981 (1981)typenonprofitlocationsouthampton, englanddirectorsaad shakirwebsitewww.dsru.org the unit is based in southampton, and was established in 1981 by bill inman and david finney. its director as of july 2021 is professor saad shakir. it is operated by the drug safety research trust, a charitable organization registered in england and wales.