Crossword Genius

Dummy's rank smell (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

placebo

'dummy's' is the definition.
(ineffective or dummy version of a drug)

'rank smell' is the wordplay.
'rank' becomes 'place' (synonyms).
'smell' becomes 'B.O.' (informal abbreviation for body odour).
'place'+'bo'='PLACEBO'

(Other definitions for placebo that I've seen before include "Inert drug" , "Ineffective substance given to humour patient" , "Innocuous or inert medication" , "patient gratified to receive such" , "Innocuous medication; palliative" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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