Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

3 (1) The Secretary of State may at any time before the coming into operation of section 12 of this Act give a direction under subsection (2) of that section in respect of any practitioner or pharmacist whose general authority under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations is for the time being withdrawn; but a direction given by virtue of this sub-paragraph shall not take effect until section 12 comes into operation, and shall not take effect at all if the general authority of the person concerned is restored before that section comes into operation.

(2) No direction under section 12(2) of this Act shall be given by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above in respect of a person while the withdrawal of his general authority under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations is suspended; but where, in the case of any practitioner or pharmacist whose general authority has been withdrawn, the withdrawal is suspended at the time when section 12 comes into operation, the Secretary of State may at any time give a direction under section 12(2) in respect of him by virtue of this sub-paragraph unless the Secretary of State has previously caused to be served on him a notice stating that he is no longer liable to have such a direction given in respect of him by virtue of this sub-paragraph.

(3) In this paragraph " the Dangerous Drugs Regulations " means, as regards Great Britain, the Dangerous Drugs (No. 2) Regulations 1964 or, as regards Northern Ireland, the Dangerous Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1965.