Pharma & Life Sciences / Featured expert
Dr Richard J. Schmidt
PhD, FRCPharm, CChem FRSC, FRSM
Pharmacist [retired] and Chartered Chemist: pharmaceutical quality, toxicology and medicines regulation
- Based in
- Penarth, Wales, United Kingdom
- Has produced reports for
- High Court
County Court
Crown Court
Magistrates' Court
Central Criminal Court
Family Court
Biography
A pharmacist [retired] and Chartered Chemist with a PhD from the University of London, Dr Schmidt lectured at the Welsh School of Pharmacy in Cardiff for nearly two decades and led biomaterials research at Johnson & Johnson Medical, where he wrote and implemented Good Laboratory Practice procedures.
Since 2000 he has acted as an expert witness and consultant, preparing reports on pharmaceutical quality control, the manufacture and supply of unlicensed "specials", product safety and toxicology in the High Court, the County Court and the Crown Court. He is registered with the UK Register of Expert Witnesses and has published over 120 research papers.
Areas of expertise
- Pharmaceutical quality control and GMP principles
- Unlicensed "specials" supply
- Toxicology and product safety
- Medicines regulation and pharmacy practice
Typical instructions
- Quality of medicines and unlicensed "specials": how they are ordered, manufactured and supplied, and who is responsible for their quality
- Toxicology and causation: whether a medicine, cosmetic or household product could have caused the harm alleged
- Product safety and quality-control failures, including labelling and ingredient issues
- Medicines regulation and the professional standards expected of pharmacists
- Cosmetic and botanical product safety, including skin reactions (dermatotoxicology)
Expert witness experience
Dr Schmidt has taken more than 40 instructions since 2000, preparing expert reports for the High Court, the County Court and the Crown Court, and advising on matters in the United States. His reports have covered pharmaceutical quality control, the manufacture of special medicinal products, toxicology and product safety.
Qualifications
- BPharm (Hons), University of London
- PhD, University of London
- Chartered Chemist (CChem)
Memberships
- Fellow, Royal College of Pharmacy (FRCPharm)
- Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
- Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine (FRSM)
- UK Register of Expert Witnesses
FAQ
Common questions
How do I instruct an expert on medicines and pharmacy practice?
Tell us about the matter using the form on this page: the issues, the forum and any deadline. We check availability and conflicts, then introduce you so you can agree the instruction directly.
What does a toxicology expert witness do?
A toxicology expert gives the court an independent opinion on whether a substance, such as a medicine, cosmetic or chemical product, could have caused the harm alleged, and at what dose or exposure.
Does Dr Schmidt owe a duty to the court?
Yes. Like every expert instructed through us, his overriding duty is to the court under CPR Part 35, not to the party paying for the report.
More featured experts
