Registration renewal fees to increase from July 2019

21 March 2019

Our Council agreed at their March meeting that there will be an increase to entry and renewal fees for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacies from July 2019.

Our Council carefully considered the consultation responses including the concerns raised, and the overall economic context and following that consideration, it was decided it was necessary to increase fees, for the first time since 2015.

We have been able to keep fees at the same level in recent years through making efficiency savings and using some of our financial reserves, but as we continue to see increases in our workload and costs, we do now need to make these increases in fees.

Our role is to protect the public and give them assurance that they will receive safe and effective care when using pharmacy services. We have to make sure we have the resources necessary to carry out our regulatory functions effectively on their behalf. In common with the other health professions, the law requires regulation to be funded by the people and businesses being regulated, rather than being funded by government from taxation. 

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

We would like to thank everyone who responded to our consultation; which heard from over 5,000 of you. You can read the consultation report here.

We heard through the consultation that the majority of people who replied did not agree with our proposals to increase fees, and we recognise that any increases can be difficult for those affected. But even after the increase, fees for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in 2019 will still be lower than those charged in 2011. We would also highlight that you can claim tax relief on renewal fees if you pay them yourself.

Some people replying to the consultation called for the GPhC to demonstrate further efficiency savings and said we should review our current accommodation. As an organisation we are committed to improving our efficiency and effectiveness. The Council has committed that in the coming year, we will develop a longer-term financial strategy which includes a comprehensive review of costs and fees as well as an accommodation review.

As part of this review, we will also explore how we might be able to develop a more flexible set of fee arrangements for people in different circumstances, and make sure that the respective costs of regulating pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and registered pharmacies continue to be allocated proportionately. This was another of the main suggestions in the responses to the consultation and something we have already committed to review.