Search Legislation

Medicines Act 1968

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Medicines Act 1968, Part II is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

Part IIU.K. Licences and Certificates Relating to Medicinal Products

General provisions and exemptionsU.K.

F16 The licensing authority. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 General provisions as to dealing with medicinal products. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Provisions as to manufacture and wholesale dealing. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 9 Exemptions for doctors and dentists U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

10 Exemptions for pharmacists. U.K.

(1)F2 ... The restrictions imposed by [F3regulations 17(1) (manufacturing of medicinal products) and 46 (requirement for authorisation) of the 2012 Regulations] do not apply to anything which is done in a registered pharmacy, a hospital [F4, a care home service ] or a health centre and is done there by or under the supervision of a pharmacist and consists of—

(a)preparing or dispensing a medicinal product in accordance with a prescription given by [F5an appropriate practitioner], or

(b)assembling a medicinal product [F6provided that where the assembling takes place in a registered pharmacy—

(i)it shall be in a registered pharmacy at [F7or from] which the business in medicinal products carried on is restricted to retail sale or to supply in circumstances corresponding to retail sale and the assembling is done with a view to such sale or supply either at [F7or from] that registered pharmacy or at [F7or from] any other such registered pharmacy forming part of the same retail pharmacy business, and

(ii)the medicinal product has not been the subject of an advertisement]; and those restrictions do not apply to anything done by or under the supervision of a pharmacist which consists of procuring the preparation or dispensing of a medicinal product in accordance with a prescription given by a practitioner, or of procuring the assembly of a medicinal product.

F8(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Those restrictions do not apply to the preparation or dispensing in a registered pharmacy of a medicinal product by or under the supervision of a pharmacist in accordance with a specification furnished by the person to whom the product is or is to be sold or supplied, where—

(a)the product is prepared or dispensed for administration to that person or to a person under his care, F9 ...

F9(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Without prejudice to the preceding subsections, the restrictions imposed by [F10regulations 17(1) (manufacturing of medicinal products) and 46 (requirement for authorisation) of the 2012 Regulations] do not apply to anything which is done in a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist and consists of—

(a)preparing or dispensing a medicinal product for administration to a person where the pharmacist is requested by or on behalf of that person to do so in accordance with the pharmacist’s own judgment as to the treatment required, and that person is present in the pharmacy at the time of the request in pursuance of which that product is prepared or dispensed, or

(b)preparing a stock of medicinal products with a view to dispensing them as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or subsection (3) of this section or in paragraph (a) of this subsection [F11provided that such stock is prepared with a view to retail sale or to supply in circumstances corresponding to retail sale and the preparation is done with a view to such sale or supply either at [F12or from] that registered pharmacy or at [F12or from] any other registered pharmacy forming part of the same retail pharmacy business];

and those restrictions do not apply to anything which is done in a hospital or a health centre by or under the supervision of a pharmacist and consists of preparing a stock of medicinal products with a view to dispensing them as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of this section.

[F13(5)Without prejudice to the preceding subsections, the restrictions imposed by [F14 regulation 46 of the 2012 Regulations] do not apply to the preparation or dispensing in a registered pharmacy of a medicinal product by or under the supervision of a pharmacist where—

(a)the medicinal product is prepared or dispensed otherwise than in pursuance of an order from any other person, and

(b)the medicinal product is prepared with a view to retail sale or supply in circumstances corresponding to retail sale at [F15or from] the registered pharmacy at which it is prepared, and

(c)the medicinal product has not been the subject of an advertisement.

(6)Without prejudice to the preceding subsections, the restrictions imposed by [F16regulation 17(1) of the 2012 Regulations] do not apply to anything which is done in a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist and consists of preparing a medicinal product with a view to retail sale or to supply in circumstances corresponding to retail sale at [F17or from] that registered pharmacy.

F18(6A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F20(7A)The F21 ... Ministers may make regulations prescribing conditions which must be complied with if a thing is to be considered for the purposes of this section as done under the supervision of a pharmacist.

(7B)Conditions prescribed under subsection (7A) may relate to supervision in the case where the pharmacist is not at the place where the thing is being done, and in that case the thing is not to be so considered if no such conditions are prescribed.

(7C)In any case, compliance with any applicable conditions is sufficient for the thing to be so considered.]

(8)For the purposes of this section “advertisement" shall have the meaning assigned to it by [F22regulation 7 (advertisements relating to medicinal products) of the 2012 Regulations].]

[F23(9)In subsection (1) of this section, “care home service" has the meaning given by [F24paragraph 2 of schedule 12 to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8) ]. ]

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 10(1) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2407), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 10(a) (with regs. 2(4), 3)

F4Words in s. 10(1) inserted (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, s. 79, Sch. 3 para. 5(a); S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(h) (subject to arts. 3-13)

F6Words added by S.I. 1971/1445, art. 3(a)

F13S. 10(5)–(8) added by S.I. 1971/1445, art. 3(c)

F20S. 10(7A)-(7C) inserted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes) by Health Act 2006 (c. 28), ss. 26(1), 83(1)(e)

F21Word in s. 10(7A) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2407), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 10(e) (with regs. 2(4), 3)

F23S. 10(9) added (S.) (1.4.2002) by 2001 asp 8, ss. 79, Sch. 3 para. 5(b); S.S.I. 2002/162, art. 2(h) (subject to arts. 3-13)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. II(ss. 6–50) extended with modifications by S.I. 1985/1403, art. 3(1)

C2S. 10 amended (E.W.S.) (prosp) by 1954 c. 61, s. 13I(1)(b) (as inserted (prosp.) by 1997 c. 19, ss. 1, 2(1), Sch. para. 2)

F2511 Exemption for nurses and midwives. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2512 Exemptions in respect of herbal remedies. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2513 Exemptions for imports. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F25 14 Exemption for re-exports. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

15 Provision for extending or modifying exemptions. U.K.

F26(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The F27 ... Ministers may by order provide that any of the provisions of [F28 section 10 ] of this Act specified in the order shall cease to have effect, or shall have effect subject to such exceptions or modifications as may be so specified.

(4)No order shall be made under subsection (3) of this section unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F27Word in s. 15(3) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2407), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 11(b) (with regs. 2(4), 3)

F28Words in s. 15(3) substituted (14.8.2012) by The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1916), reg. 1(2), Sch. 34 para. 4(b) Sch. 35 (with Sch. 32)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Pt. II(ss. 6–50) extended with modifications by S.I. 1985/1403 , art. 3(1)

F2916 Transitional exemptions. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2917 Termination of transitional exemptions. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Applications for, and grant and renewal of, licencesU.K.

F2918 Application for licence. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2919 Factors relevant to determination of application for licence. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2920 Grant or refusal of licence. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 21 Procedure on reference to appropriate committee U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 22 Procedure in other cases. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 22A .Hearing before person appointedU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2923 Special provisions as to effect of manufacturer’s licence. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2924 Duration and renewal of licence. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Licences of rightU.K.

F2925 Entitlement to licence of right. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3026 Scope of licence of right in different cases. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F30S. 26 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 17 Group 7

F2927 Proceedings on application for licence of right. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Suspension, revocation and variation of licencesU.K.

F2928 General power to suspend, revoke or vary licences. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2929 Procedure where licensing authority propose to suspend, revoke or vary licence under s. 28.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2930 Variation of licence on application of holder. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Clinical trials and medicinal tests on animalsU.K.

F3131 Clinical trials. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3232 Medicinal tests on animals. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3233 Exemptions in respect of medicinal tests on animals. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3234 Restrictions as to animals on which medicinal tests have been carried out. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3235 Supplementary provisions as to clinical trials and medicinal tests on animals.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3236 Application for, and issue of, certificate. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3337 Transitional provisions as to clinical trials and medicinal tests on animals. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33S. 37 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 17 Group 7

F3438 Duration and renewal of certificate. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3439 Suspension, revocation or variation of certificate. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Medicated animal feeding stuffsU.K.

F3440 Medicated animal feeding stuffs. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

41–42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F35U.K.

Supplementary provisionsU.K.

F2943 Extension of s. 7 to certain special circumstances. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2944 Provision of information to licensing authority. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2945 Offences under Part II. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2946 Special defences under s. 45. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2947 Standard provisions for licences U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2948 Postponement of restrictions in relation to exports. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2949 Special provisions in respect of exporting certain products. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F36 49A Special provisions in respect of exporting certain products to member States U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2949B. Special provisions in respect of exporting certain products to EEA State s U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2950 Certificates for exporters of medicinal products. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources