Pharmacy to retain name despite clash

The Pharmacy, artist Damien Hirst’s new Notting Hill restaurant, is to keep its name and identity despite opposition from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, says a spokesman for the restaurant.

Pharmacy is a restricted title under the Medicines Act, says Helen Darracott of the RPA’s law department. Its use is effectively restricted to pharmaceutical outlets. “We have advised them that to take the title would be contrary to provisions of the Act,” she says.

The restaurant spokesman says legal advice has been taken, and that the name and the green cross logo will be retained.

“We will put the facts to our council, and they will take a decision,” says Darracott. She confirms the RPA could take legal action against the restaurant.

The cross logo was absent last week when the photograph below was taken but a spokesman said this was due to a technical hitch.