Key Summary
- The PDA opposes the GPhC’s six per cent fee hike, citing strong member disagreement from a recent survey
- Concerns include lack of transparency, rising GPhC income, and high costs like the Canary Wharf office
- PDA urges GPhC to reconsider future fee plans based on this feedback
The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has expressed unhappiness over the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) recent agreement for a six per cent hike in the annual registration fees.
The PDA chose not to support the decision post a survey which reflected similar opinions from nearly 1,000 PDA members.
The survey highlighted various concerns regarding the fee hike.
Lack of transparency is a general concern highlighted by the PDA as the GPhC has not explained regarding the savings as promised in the 2023 consultation.
Concerns were raised about the sharp rise in GPhC income over the last decade, along with questions about the cost of regulating premises, especially with more online pharmacies and fewer physical ones.
The PDA and its members are also not convinced about GPhC’s cost model and its ongoing expense of Canary Wharf Office.
The GPhC also failed to publish its Equality Impact Assessment with the consultation.
“It is disappointing that the GPhC has found it necessary to increase the registrant fees again by six per cent, which is above inflation. PDA members are concerned about the level of increase given the current economic climate and employment market,” said Jay Badenhorst, PDA Director of Pharmacy.
“The responses to our survey highlighted concerns about the GPhC’s financial position and whether efficiencies are appropriately being sought ahead of placing the burden on individual registrants.”
“We, however, do recognise that the proposed multi-year increase has not been agreed and call on the GPhC to consider the feedback in the PDA’s response to the consultation in their decision making around future fees proposals,” added Badenhorst.
