There is no rule regarding the dispensing of proprietary preparations, and the dispenser must act according to circumstances in each case, endeavouring whenever possible to dispense the medicine as if it were compounded by himself. Preparations which are subject to medicine stamp-duty are exempt from that duty when they form part of the ingredients of a medicine dispensed- that is, are mixed with something else:

M. Sig. : 3j. t.d.s.

This should be dispensed in the chemist's own bottle with his own label, and does not require a medicine-stamp; but a prescription such asSyr. hypophos. co. (Fellows) ....

Sig.: cannot be dispensed in Great Britain without a medicine-stamp in proportion to the charge made (1 1/2d. for is. and under, 3d. for 2s. 6d., and 6d. for 4s.). The fact that the medicine may have already paid duty does not alter the case, as the Board of Customs and Excise do not permit a stamped medicine to be rebottled, reboxed, etc, without fresh stamps being applied. This rule also prevents such medicines as lactopeptine being dispensed in powders or cachets without the appropriate medicine-stamps. Whether the rule is strictly followed in practice or not is another matter; indeed, it is open to question whether the Board of Customs and Excise could or would insist on duty being paid on a medicine which has already paid duty, and which forms part of a prescription dispensed without revelation of the name to the purchaser. Such a sale can scarcely be regarded as a sale of a proprietary medicine.

Another aspect of the matter is, How should proprietary medicines be dispensed- in the original package or in a fresh package? This depends, in part, upon the prescription. Some prescribers are in the habit of writing such orders asSyr. hypophos. co. (Fellows) 1 bot.

Sig. : A teaspoonful in a glass of water at 12 o'clock and 4 o'clock.

The dispenser has no option in this case but to remove the wrapper and place his own label upon the bottle, but if the prescription at all permits, this practice should be avoided : it is not good pharmacy to dispense medicines otherwise than in the dispenser's own containers. In this case, as Fellows's syrup contains strychnine, the entry in the prescription-book, 'Fellows's syrup, 1 bottle,' and the name of the person to whom it is delivered, is all that is legally required of the dispenser. It should be noted that the Government stamp (if already affixed) must not be removed or torn in the act of dispensing dutiable medicines. The dispenser can only get over this by using a bottle supplied for dispensing-purposes.