(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 of this Order, during the periods set out in paragraph (2) below, the restrictions imposed by section 8(3) of the Act (wholesale dealing) shall not apply to the sale or offer for sale by way of wholesale dealing of a medicinal product, other than a veterinary drug, which is for sale as confectionery if, and so long as, the conditions specified in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of Article 3(2) of this Order are satisfied.
(2) The periods referred to in the preceding paragraph are as follows:—
(a) the period of six months from the date of the coming into operation of this Order;
(b) where an application for the grant of a product licence or an application to vary a product licence in respect of the medicinal product as aforesaid has been made during the period under (a) above and in the application it is stated that the product is to be sold or offered for sale by way of wholesale dealing by persons exempt from the need to hold a wholesale dealer's licence by virtue of this Order, the period until the application for such product licence has been finally disposed of or such longer period as the licensing authority may in any particular case allow.
(3) For the purposes of this Article an application shall be taken as finally disposed of on (but not before) the occurrence of whichever of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 27(7) of the Act last occurs.
(4) The exemption conferred by paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply during the period referred to in paragraph (2)(b) above if, and so long as, the licensing authority are of the opinion that in the interests of safety the said exemption should not apply and if the licensing authority have in writing so notified the person whose activities in relation to the medicinal product in question would have been exempt by virtue of the said exemption but for the provisions of this paragraph and so long as such notification has not been withdrawn by the licensing authority.