DRUG LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 239, 9 October 1934, Page 9

DRUG LAW.

STRICT CONTROL.

ISSUE OF PRESCRIPTIONS

DOCTOR AND CHEMIST FINED

"This is the first prosecution of its kind in Auckland, and there is no suggestion that any offence has been committed by the defendants in respect of other persons. It will be a warning to doctors and chemist's/' said Senior Detective Hall when William Henry Horton and James Dinwoodic Jardinc plended guilty in the Police Court today to a breach of the regulations of the Danger, us Drugs Act, 1927. Dr. Horton (Mr. Hall Skelton) admitted supplying on August 10 a dangerous drug to a man on four occasions. James Dinwoodie Jardinc (Mr. Hore), chemist, admitted supplying to the same jnan 100 tablets (half-grain) of the same drii" which was not dispensed pursuant to ii prescription issued by the medical practitioner. Senior Detective Hall said the Act provided that any prescription coming within the meaning of dangerous r !ru£rs could only be repeated three times and the intervals at which the drug was to Se taken must be stated. The defenant, Dr. Horton, had endorsed the prescription four times, but the Act required a fresh prescription to be issued after three times. When informed of the breach the defendant pleaded ignorance of the section of the Act. Jlr. Hall Skelton said Dr. H >rton ban been treating the man for years. Th.> man had been continually in and out of hospital and was actually in hospital now. There was no suggestion of improper conduct on the part of defendant, and the case was brought to bring under the notice of medical men and chemists the requirements of the Act. Mr. Wyvern Wilson said carelessness, on the part of medical men and eaemists was the worst fault, in the performance of their profession, of which they ejuld be accused. Any penalty he miirnt impose might have "a less damaging effect that publication of carelessness on their part. Each defendant was fined £12 10/ and costs.