Prescription pad

Prescription pad, owned by psychiatrist Ann Dally

Dr Ann Dally (1929-2007) was a controversial psychiatrist and medical author. She used this prescription pad within her clinic. Many of Dally’s views conflicted with the medical establishment of whom she was critical. During the 1960s, Dally supported heroin treatment programmes that supplied addicts with methadone. Methadone is a legally prescribed substitute drug. It was hoped this would help addicts avoid many of the side effects of heroin addiction. Although they remained addicted, they were healthier. Many found employment and led ‘normal’ lives. A change in medical establishment policies during the mid-1970s saw this so-called ‘maintenance treatment’ become increasingly unavailable. Dally continued prescribing the controlled drug to addicts. The General Medical Council found her guilty of professional misconduct due to ‘over prescription’ in 1983 and 1987. She continued to be a critic of drug policies until her death in 2007.