GPhC proposes fee hike to offset rising operational costs

Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, stated that the organisation is currently in “deficit”, leaving them with no choice but to raise fees

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has proposed to increase its fees by 6 per cent each year over the next two years, starting in September 2025 and again in September 2026. 

Under these proposals, from September 2025, pharmacist renewal fees would increase by £17 to £293, pharmacy technician fees by £8 to £138, and pharmacy premises fees by £24 to £416.

From September 2026, pharmacist renewal fees would increase by another £17 to £310, pharmacy technician fees by £8 to £146, and pharmacy premises fees by £25 to £441.

Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and owners of pharmacy premises are invited to share their views on these proposals as part of a consultation launched today.

The pharmacy regulator explained that fee increases were needed to cover rising operational costs and ensure it could continue to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities effectively.

Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, acknowledged that many pharmacy professionals are experiencing increased financial pressures but stressed that the fee increases are essential.

“We are currently in deficit and our financial projections show that this will remain and increase over the next five years.

“This is not sustainable, and alongside measures we are taking to reduce expenditure and lower our reserves; it leaves us with no alternative but to raise our fees,” he stated.

The consultation document highlights that, like many organisations, the GPhC is experiencing a significant increase in its operational costs driven by “higher rates of inflation and increases to utility bills, National Insurance contributions and supplier costs.”

The GPhC also noted that the number of Fitness to Practise concerns has doubled in the past two years, further increasing workload and costs.

The consultation will be open from 30 January to 24 April 2025.

Proposed fee hike far exceeds inflation rate

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has expressed concern that the proposed fee increase significantly exceeds the current rate of inflation.

Paul Bennett, CEO of the RPS, stated: “We fully recognise the importance of effective regulation to uphold public confidence in the profession.

“Quality regulation has resource implications and RPS is keen to work ever more closely with the profession and the GPhC on development of professional standards, frameworks, credentialing and practice support tools to enable the highest standards of practice within the profession.

“However, we remain concerned about the significant increase proposed, which is well above the current rate of inflation of 2.5 per cent.”

Bennett acknowledged the financial pressures faced by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and assured that they would “engage constructively” with the consultation process to ensure their members' views are heard.

'It is a kick in the teeth' - NPA 

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called on the GPhC to reconsider their proposed fee increases.

Gareth Jones, director of corporate affairs at the NPA, described the GPhC’s proposals as “a kick in the teeth”, arguing that they would add even more financial pressure on “hard-pressed” pharmacies.

"It is disappointing that pharmacies have been asked to pick up the regulator's increasing costs at a time when they have seen not a single penny of additional investment from the central government in the last decade and are closing in record numbers.

"We'll be responding in due course to this consultation urging the GPhC to reconsider this,” he said.

Pharmacies have no way to pass the costs on to

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), echoed concerns that the GPhC’s fee increase will place additional financial strain on pharmacies.

“While it’s understandable that GPhC wish to increase their fees to cover the rising costs of doing business and increased workload, it’s unfortunate that these costs must be passed on to registrants and contractors," he said.

He highlighted that pharmacies are facing the same challenges as the GPhC, but they have "no way to pass the costs on to either the payer or users of the professional services and premises they regulate".

Harrison emphasised that the sector has endured a decade of rising costs and workload without any corresponding increase in NHS funding.

“This leaves pharmacies with no way to mitigate the impact rising costs have on their business, which has led to more pharmacies reducing hours of access, or closing their doors altogether,” he noted.

He added that almost 3.4 million hours of pharmacy access per year have been lost since September 2022.

“Ultimately it is patients and taxpayers who suffer from the reduction in access to NHS care.”