R. gallica ‘Officinalis’ is an ancient rose. I suspect the introduction date is just when Austin started selling it.

Thank you and happy spring

The rose they list as R. Gallica Officinalis is the real deal aka "Apothecary Rose".

Notice that despite the inclusion of the confusing "Year of introduction: 2000" line they are also calling it an old rose. And maybe they do state somewhere on the site that introduction dates they give for the various plants presented are when they first offered them themselves.

R. gallica ‘Officinalis’ | Old Rose | David Austin Roses

I might note -- It would be smart to determine whether the rose they are selling will be on its own roots, or budded, because Apothecary Rose can sucker impressively, on its own roots.

Great point on its roots

In fact most roses that aren't bedding types like Hybrid Teas and so forth spread underground unless grafted onto non spreading roots.

Unfortunately this rose was out of stock after purchasing and waiting for it for several months.

Can anyone find an online store that has this rose in stock now or soon? I’ve searched a lot to no avail.

You can try contacting greenmantle to see if they have it in stock

http://www.greenmantlenursery.com/roses2008/roselist2008.htm

also you can try Old Sheep Meadow Nursery, which I have never heard of but they list it on the website:

https://www.oldsheepmeadowsnursery.com/OldRoses.html

another nursery:

http://www.rosesofyesterday.com/ourroses.html

https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.311.12&tab=16&lvl=1&qn=0&qc=87

Mainegard3: I hope you are able to find the Apothecary rose before too long. It had not been on my wish list for this year, but... I was up at up at Hartwood Roses (Fredericksburg, VA) last month for their Open Garden and Connie had a few roses for sale. One was labeled "Mystery Rose" and the sign said it would be either Apothecary or Tuscany Superb. I decided to go for it and purchased one of those, along with Reve d'Or (which was on my wish list for this year). The mystery rose bloomed after I got back home and is indeed Apothecary. I was quite taken with its bloom. It is looking very healthy in its black plastic pot, but I need to get it in the ground so am trying to figure out a spot for it in my yard. Fingers crossed that you will get one soon!

I'm mostly an own-root fan, but there are some roses I do prefer to have grafted. Gallicas and rugosas top the list. And some quite lovely HTs are rather feeble without a boost from a vigorous rootstock.