The PDA undertook a survey of its members to inform its response to the recent GPhC changes to fees consultation. The survey received nearly 1,100 responses from PDA members, the vast majority of whom strongly opposed the proposals, and these views were at the heart of the PDA’s response, the key points of which were;
- A general concern around a lack of transparency, including the GPhC not explaining in detail where it has made savings as promised in the 2023 consultation.
- The significant increase in GPhC income in the past ten years.
- Questions over the cost of regulating premises, in light of the increase in cases relating to online pharmacies and the reduction in the number of brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
- The GPhC cost allocation model, including concerns around why it is not recovering the full cost of accreditation from schools of pharmacy.
- The continuing and significant dissatisfaction observed in the member survey responses around the GPhC premises being in Canary Wharf and the ongoing cost of retaining this location.
- The GPhC not publishing its Equality Impact Assessment alongside the consultation.
Although the GPhC Council agreed the 6% increase for 2025, they have “decided to postpone making a decision on the fees to be charged in September 2026”, to enable further reflection.
Jay Badenhorst, PDA Director of Pharmacy said, “It is disappointing that the GPhC has found it necessary to increase the registrant fees again by 6%, which is above inflation. PDA members are concerned about the level of increase given the current economic climate and employment market. 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.”
Learn more
- PDA’s response to GPhC’s consultation on draft changes to registrant fees
- PDA calls on members to share their views on changes to registration fees
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