Section 18: Operation of pharmacy

18. Operation of pharmacy (1) No person shall operate a pharmacy unless— (a) he holds a licence; and (b) there is a pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy. (2) Any person who wishes to obtain a licence under this section shall make an application to the Board on the prescribed form. (3) The Board shall, on receipt of an application under subsection (2), require the Trade and Therapeutics Committee to inspect the premises of the applicant which are intended for use as a pharmacy and submit its recommendations. (4) In considering an application under subsection (2), the Board shall take into account— (a) the number of pharmacies in the area in which the applicant intends to operate; (b) the needs of the area for an additional pharmacy; and (c) the recommendations of the Trade and Therapeutics Committee. (5) The Board may grant the application on payment of the prescribed fee and on such conditions as it thinks fit or reject the application. (6) Where the Board rejects an application under subsection (5), it shall notify the applicant of the reasons for its decision. [Issue 1] P8 – 10 Revised Laws of Mauritius (7) A licence which is granted under this section shall be valid for a period of one year as from the date specified in the licence and may be renewed annually on payment of the prescribed fee. (8) Except with the written permission of the Board, no pharmacist shall be in charge of more than one pharmacy. (9) (a) Subject to paragraph (b) and to section 19, no person in a pharmacy, other than a pharmacist, shall dispense a prescription, compound a medicine or sell a drug specified in the First or Sixth Schedule. (b) A person in a pharmacy may perform any of the acts specified in paragraph (a)— (i) in the presence of the pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy; or (ii) where the pharmacist in charge is temporarily absent, in the presence of an assistant pharmacist. (10) Every licensee shall— (a) affix a conspicuous sign board outside his pharmacy, bearing his name and that of the pharmacist in charge; and (b) display his licence in a conspicuous position in his pharmacy. (11) Where the Board is satisfied that a licensee has contravened this Act or any condition attached to his licence, it may, by notice in writing, require the licensee within 15 days from the date of service of the notice to show cause why his licence ought not to be revoked and if the Board is satisfied that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is expedient to do so, it may revoke his licence.