• Professor Chris Langley, deputy dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences, has co-authored Dale and Appelbe’s Pharmacy and Medicines Law
• The book contains comprehensive coverage of pharmacy and medicines law in Great Britain
• It is the 13^th edition of the book, which was first published in 1976, and will be the final print edition, before the publication goes entirely electronic.

The deputy dean of Aston University College of Health and Life Sciences, Professor Chris Langley, has co-authored a new edition of Dale and Appelbe’s Pharmacy and Medicines Law, which was published on 25 July 2025.

Professor Langley is professor of pharmacy law and practice at Aston University. He is a team leader of the General Pharmaceutical Council's Accreditation and Recognition Panel, and a former member of both the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee and Board of Assessors.

Dale and Appelbe’s Pharmacy and Medicines Law, which was first published in 1976, is the definitive reference book on law and professional regulations for pharmacy in Great Britain, reflecting the latest legal developments and practice trends, including the differences in the law in England, Scotland and Wales. The new edition is the 13^th, and will be the last to be published in print. Future editions will only be published electronically through MedicinesComplete, providing quick and easy access to regularly updated content.

Key updates in the new edition include new chapters on hospital pharmacy, online pharmacy and other services. This recognises that pharmacy and medicines law is different in different practice areas, covering law and regulation that is specific to hospital pharmacy (as well as prisons and care homes), acknowledging that students and pharmacy professionals will not all be practising in community pharmacies.

The new chapter on online pharmacy is needed due to the significant increase in the use of online pharmacies and the numerous legal and regulatory issues that have arisen.

The 13^th edition also includes expanded content on pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical trials and updated case law. The case law not only shows the sources of law stated across all the chapters, but provides human interest which make the book more digestible and, by adding context, make the content easier for students to understand and retain. Data protection and confidentiality, supervision, professional conduct, and fitness to practise are key areas where new case law is included.

Changes in the law since the 12^th edition have also been updated, including regulations governing veterinary medicines and changes resulting from Brexit. The new edition anticipates changes to the law that will be made soon after publication and includes information on how readers can check whether the changes have been brought into effect. Other new content includes new legal duties of superintendent pharmacists and responsible pharmacists, updated law on original pack dispensing, new guidance on the provision of online pharmacy services and professional standards for Chief Pharmacists.

Professor Langley said:

“It is an honour to be involved in the new edition of this text, especially considering that I used an earlier version of this book when I was a pharmacy student. I am aware how well known this text is as the core reference for pharmacy and medicines law within Great Britain, and I hope that readers find the updates and new material of use to their practice, in whatever branch of pharmacy they work.”

David Reisser is Professor Langley’s fellow co-author. He is a solicitor who specialised in pharmacy law when he was in practice, and was appointed honorary professor of pharmacy and medicines law by the University of Nottingham in 2022. He is chair of the Pharmacy Law & Ethics Association, a consultant to Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland, a trustee of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, and is a deputy district judge.

Reissner said:

“Writing a new edition of such an iconic textbook is exciting and a privilege. It has also been a lot of hard work! We have aimed not only to bring the book up to date and to anticipate future changes, but also to ensure that the book reflects current pharmacy practice and to provide the context in which laws are made or interpreted by the courts. We hope that the inclusion of case law also adds human interest.”