15. Conduct of inquiry

If the pharmacist does not appear, the Board may proceed with the inquiry after satisfying itself that a notice of the inquiry was served on him under rule 8(1).

The procedure to be followed at the inquiry shall be as follows, but the procedure may be varied by the Board in any particular case:

the charge shall first be read out to the pharmacist;

the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may object to the charge;

if any such objection is upheld, no further proceedings shall be taken by the Board on the charge to which the objection relates;

the Board’s representative shall present the facts on which the charge is based, and adduce evidence of the facts alleged in the charge;

the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may give evidence on the pharmacist’s behalf and cross-examine witnesses;

the Board may question the pharmacist and cross-examine witnesses;

at the close of the case the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may address the Board; and

the Board’s representative shall make his closing address.

During the inquiry, the Board may determine that the charge is groundless in which case no further proceedings shall continue.

The Board shall not be bound to act in a formal manner and shall not be bound by the provisions of the Evidence Act [Cap. 97] or by any other law relating to evidence, but may inform itself on any matter in such manner as it thinks fit.

If the pharmacist does not appear, the Board may proceed with the inquiry after satisfying itself that a notice of the inquiry was served on him under rule 8(1).

The procedure to be followed at the inquiry shall be as follows, but the procedure may be varied by the Board in any particular case:

the charge shall first be read out to the pharmacist;

the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may object to the charge;

if any such objection is upheld, no further proceedings shall be taken by the Board on the charge to which the objection relates;

the Board’s representative shall present the facts on which the charge is based, and adduce evidence of the facts alleged in the charge;

the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may give evidence on the pharmacist’s behalf and cross-examine witnesses;

the Board may question the pharmacist and cross-examine witnesses;

at the close of the case the pharmacist or his counsel or representative may address the Board; and

the Board’s representative shall make his closing address.

During the inquiry, the Board may determine that the charge is groundless in which case no further proceedings shall continue.

The Board shall not be bound to act in a formal manner and shall not be bound by the provisions of the Evidence Act [Cap. 97] or by any other law relating to evidence, but may inform itself on any matter in such manner as it thinks fit.