Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-13
ILLEGAL REGISTRY MAY.
LEAD TO PROSECUTIONS.
important Rulings Made as to En-
forcement of Harrison
Drug Act.
OUTLINE DUTY OF COLLECTORS
boes Not End With Simple Regis
tration, rs If Secured Through
misrepresentation, Such Registra-
ton Is Null and Void.

| "h ID Null ana tOiu.
hdchard c. L. Moncure. Collector OF
internal Revenue for the Eastern Dis
'rict OF Virginia, has just received
trosh the commissioner at Washington
ne" ruling On the Harrison Anti
narcotic Act. defining the difference,
"haer the law. between the term pro
scr'ption" and that Of preparation
Or remedy" Tho text OF the ruling
is' IN part. as follows:
mo word preparations as generally
used and understood. means ready
maze or prepared medicines and the
word remedies means that which
cures or is ehicacious In Il specific dis
ease or diseases under all conditions,
WINE The term prescription Is written
directions or recipe Of IL physician for
eHe compromising or preparing OF
meGic'ne and directions for It's use to
meet the existing conditions in the
case OF a particular patient.
IL Is, therefore, apparent that the
exemption in Section 8 OF the act as
interpreted in the treasury decision
no. 2l72 relating to preparations and
remedies containing not more than
the specified quantities OF the drugs
enumerated. do not apply to prescrip-
tions written by registered physicians
GAZING Tor any quantity Of the mar
Go1ic drug unless such prescription
IL written for preparation or rem
coy prepared in accordance with the
U. S. Pharmacopeia, National Formu-
iary' or other formula, or for a rem
ody or preparation prepared under
private or proprietary formula, carried
in STOCK by dealer. which may be dis
pensed without prescription
MUST GIVE NAME OF
PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN
Every prescription therefore, con-
tanning narcotic drug In any quantity,
with the exemptions noted, must have
indicated thereon the name and ad-
dress Of the patient. the date, the name
and address of the physician, and his
registry number. Such prescriptions
cannot he refilled and must be filed
tor period Of two years"
AT the same time. the collector re-
ceived another ruling relative to the
DISCRIMINATION collectors must use in
registering persons as legal dispensers
~ narcotic drugs, and defining their
duty. and the duty of those charged
With carrying the provisions of the
act into effect. when il becomes evident
that fraud has practiccd In Securing
registration. Special attention is call
oh 10 the fact that these drugs cannot
pc prescribed or distributed on re-
celpt or mail-orders, nor by q physician,
fegistered under the Act who, under
he laws Of the State or otherwise, is
disqualified TO practice
The ruling Is. in part, as follows:
The fact that registration Is limited
20 certain named persons indicates
fhat there must be power OF discrim-
nation vested In collectors of internal
revenue as to who shall be registered
lnd from whom special tax may be
rAH .it fa6 TO-,
t!mately engaged In the exercise OF
their trade or profession cannot legally
register under the terms OF this act
MUST PREsCKIRE ONLY
IN LEGITIMATE PRACTICE
For example: party must be legi-
fimate producer, importer. manufac-
turer. seller or distributor OF the afore-
bald drugs. and likewise n physician,
ientist or veterinary surgeon can reg
ster under this act and dispense these
drugs In the course OF his professional
pra ct!ce only. 1t also follows from the
Express language OF the act that such
physician. dentist or veterinary sur
keon can prescribe such drugs when
he sas been employed to prescribe for
he particular natient receiving such
,rugs. and upon whom he shall per-
tonally attend in the course of his
professional practice only, and such
are scriptions must be made In the legi-
innate practice OF MS profession, and
then only when employed to prescribe
Tor the particular receiving person re-
peiving such drugs.
1T Is apparent from the foregoing
that tho duties OF collectors and other
Internal revenue officers do not end,
under the provisions of this act, with
'.simple registration. II parties secure
Registration through misrepresentation
pr fraud, such registration Is null and
Hoid and does not protect them from
prosecution for the illegal use Of these
drugs and 1t is the duty OF collectors
Ind other internal revenue officers
8yhen such cases are discovered to in
lestigate the Same. and where the
aw has been violated in line with the
foregoing to seize and proceed TO for
teit the prohibited drug illegally in
possession OF such parties, and recon-
kaend such persons to the district at
orney for Indictment and prosecution.
The foregoing has special applica-
ion to those persons, who. registering
hs physicians. prescribe or distribute
narcotic drugs or preparations on re-
ceipt of mail-orders received from So
called patients. or who. under the laws
BIZ the State or under municipal regu-
lations are not permitted to practice