There will be an increase to entry and renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacies from 1 July 2019.
This is the first time the GPhC has increased fees since 2015 and for pharmacy professionals the fees will still be lower than those charged in 2011.
The increases are as follows:
- pharmacists by £7 from £250 to £257
- pharmacy technicians by £3 from £118 to £121
- pharmacy premises by £21 from £241 to £262
The Council in reaching a decision on fees carefully considered the results of a public consultation which heard from over 5,000 respondents.
The key results of the consultation include:
- 70% of respondents disagreed with increasing the pharmacist entry and renewal fee by £7 from £250 to £257
- 66% of respondents disagreed with increasing the pharmacy technician entry and renewal fee by £3 from £118 to £121
- 51% of respondents disagreed with increasing the registered pharmacy entry and renewal fee by £21 from £241 to £262
- 41% of respondents disagreed that our proposals were in line with our fees policy
Respondents who disagreed with the increases outlined a range of reasons, including that the current financial conditions could make the increases challenging to absorb for pharmacy professionals and pharmacies.
Some respondents called on the GPhC to demonstrate further efficiency savings, and for more flexible fee options to account for differences in income, for example for people on parental leave or who work part-time.
The GPhC’s annual plan for 2019-20 makes clear that it is undertaking a number of measures to improve efficiency and effectiveness. In the coming year, the GPhC will develop a longer term financial strategy which includes a comprehensive review of costs and fee structures, as well as an accommodation review.
Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the GPhC, said:
“We are grateful to everyone who has responded to the consultation. Our Council carefully considered the consultation responses including the concerns raised, and the overall economic context. Following that consideration, it was decided it was necessary to increase fees, for the first time since 2015.
“Our role is to protect the public and give them assurance that they will receive safe and effective care when using pharmacy services, and we have to make sure we have the resources necessary to carry out our regulatory functions effectively on their behalf.”
The report from the 2019 fee rules consultation and our response can be found in our March council papers.