Power to obtain information from medical practitioners, etc., in certain circumstances

(1) If it appears to the Minister that there exists in any area in Belize a social problem caused by the extensive misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs in that area, he may by notice in writing served on any medical practitioner or chemist and druggist practising in or in the vicinity of that area, or on any person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business at any premises situated in or in the vicinity of that area, require him to furnish to the Minister, with respect to any such drugs specified in the notice and as regards any period so specified, such particulars as may be so specified relating to the quantities in which and the number and frequency of the occasions on which those drugs– (a) in the case of a medical practitioner, were prescribed, administered or supplied by him; (b) in the case of a chemist and druggist, were supplied by him; or (c) in the case of a person conducting a retail pharmacy business, were supplied in the course of that business at any premises so situated which may be specified in the notice. 30 (2) A notice under sub-section (1) may require any such particulars to be furnished in such manner and within such time as may be specified in the notice and, if served on a chemist and druggist or person conducting a retail pharmacy business, may require him to furnish the names and addresses of medical practitioners on whose prescriptions any dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs to which the notice relates were supplied, but shall not require any person to furnish any particulars relating to the identity of any person for or to whom any such drug has been prescribed, administered or supplied. (3) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse (proof of which shall lie on him) he fails to comply with any requirements to which he is subject by virtue of sub-section (1). (4) A person commits an offence if in purported compliance with a requirement imposed under this section he gives any information which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly gives any information which is so false.