Citation, commencement and interpretation1.

(1)

These regulations may be cited as the Medicines (Labelling and Advertising to the Public) Regulations 1978 and shall come into operation on 1st February 1978.

(2)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“the Act” means the Medicines Act 1968;

“advertisement” has the same meaning as in section 92(1) and (2) of the Act;

“certified midwife” has the same meaning as in section 11(2) of the Act;

“commercially interested party” has the same meaning as in section 92(4) of the Act;

“local authority” means:

(a)

in relation to England and Wales, the Greater London Council, a county council, a London borough council, a district council or the Common Council of the City of London;

(b)

in relation to Scotland, a regional, islands or district council;

(c)

in relation to Northern Ireland, a district council;

“registered nurse” has the same meaning as in section 11(2) of the Act;

“representation” has the same meaning as in section 92(5) of the Act;

“spermicidal contraceptive” means a contraceptive substance or article (not being a veterinary drug) which acts wholly or mainly by chemical spermicidal means, but does not include—

(a)

a contraceptive substance or article which is administered orally,

(b)

an intra-uterine contraceptive device, or

(c)

a spermicidal lubricant which is or is to be applied to a condom, cap, or diaphragm;

“venereal disease” means syphilis, gonorrhoea or soft chancre;

and other expressions have the same meanings as in the Act.

(3)

Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in these regulations to any provision of any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that provision as amended or extended by any enactment or instrument and as including a reference to any provision which may re-enact or replace it.

(4)

The rules for the construction of Acts of Parliament contained in the Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply for the purposes of the interpretation of these regulations as they apply for the purposes of the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.