The Pharmacy Order 2010

Power of entry

10.—(1) An inspector, on producing (if required)—

(a) evidence of the inspector’s identity; and

(b) evidence of the inspector’s appointment,

may, for the purposes of the exercise of a function conferred on the inspector by article 8(2)(a), (b) or (e) enter any registered pharmacy or other premises at any reasonable hour.

(2) In the case of any premises which are or form part of a private dwelling house, an inspector may enter the premises by virtue of paragraph (1) only if 24 hours notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier.

(3) If a justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing from an inspector, is satisfied that entry to a registered pharmacy or other premises is required for the purposes of the exercise of a function conferred on the inspector by article 8(2)(a), (b) or (e) and is also satisfied that—

(a) admission has been refused, or a refusal is expected, and (in either case) that notice to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;

(b) asking for admission, or the giving of such notice, would defeat the object of entry;

(c) the case is one of urgency; or

(d) the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent,

the justice may by signed warrant authorise the inspector to enter the premises, if need be by reasonable force.

(4) A warrant issued by a justice of the peace under paragraph (3) is valid for the period of one month beginning with the day on which the warrant is issued.

(5) An inspector who is authorised to enter any premises by a warrant issued by a justice of the peace under paragraph (3) must, on entering the premises, produce the warrant to any person at the premises appearing to the inspector to be in charge of, or responsible for, the premises or, if the premises are unoccupied, leave a copy of the warrant at the premises.

(6) An inspector entering premises by virtue of this article—

(a) may be accompanied by a police constable or by such other persons as the inspector considers necessary;

(b) may bring into the premises such equipment as the inspector considers necessary.

(7) If an inspector enters any unoccupied premises by virtue of this article, the inspector must leave the premises as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as the premises were found.

(8) In the application of this article to Scotland, a reference to a justice of the peace includes a reference to the sheriff and to a magistrate.