Dangerous Drugs Act, 1934

Control of manufacture and sale of drugs to which Part IV applies.

20.—(1) For the purpose of preventing the improper use of drugs to which this Part of this Act applies, the Minister may by order make regulations under this section for controlling or restricting the manufacture, sale possession and distribution of such drugs, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power for—

(a) prohibiting the manufacture of any such drugs except on premises licensed for the purpose and subject to any conditions specified in the licence; and

(b) prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any such drug except by persons licensed or otherwise authorised under such regulations and subject to any conditions specified in the licence or authority; and

(c) regulating the issue by registered medical practitioners of prescriptions containing any such drug and the dispensing of any such prescription; and

(d) requiring persons engaged in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any such drug to keep such books and furnish such information either in writing or otherwise as may be prescribed by such regulations.

(2) The regulations under this section shall provide for authorising any pharmaceutical chemist, chemist and druggist, or registered druggist lawfully keeping open shop for the sale of poisons—

(a) to manufacture at the shop in the ordinary course of his retail business any preparation, admixture, or extract of any drug to which this Part of this Act applies, or

(b) to carry on at the shop the business of retailing, dispensing or compounding any such drug,

subject to the power of the Minister to withdraw the authorisation in the case of a person convicted of an offence under this Act.

(3) Nothing in any regulations made under this section shall be taken to authorise any person to keep open shop for the retailing of poisons who is not entitled to do so under the Pharmacy Act (Ireland), 1875, as amended by the Pharmacy Act, (Ireland), 1875, Amendment Act, 1890, or to authorise a chemist and druggist or a registered druggist to compound any medical prescription.

(4) For the purpose of this section the Minister may grant licences and authorities for such periods and on such terms and subject to such conditions as he may think proper.

(5) There shall be paid to the Minister on the grant of every licence under this section such fee as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may fix.

(6) Every person—

(a) who acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any regulation under this section; or

(b) who acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, the conditions of any licence or authority granted under or in pursuance of this section;

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be punishable accordingly.