The PSNI has stated that this public consultation was the first since 2016 for pharmacists and trainee pharmacists and that the proposed increase in registration and retention fees is required due to the significant changes in the complexity and scope of the Society’s work, and the related cost pressures experienced across the organisation.
The consultation also proposed a change to the method of notification of fees from via post only, to having the option to receive notification via post or email for pharmacists, trainee pharmacists and those applying for the Common Registration Assessment.
Finally, the consultation outlined a proposal to enable retention fees to be collected in quarterly instalments by Direct Debit.
Feedback from PDA members was vital in informing its response to the consultation, for example, 97.56% of PDA members surveyed indicated that they did not agree with the increase in fees or consider it reasonable. The PDA’s submission also considered the effect of the proposals on a range of pharmacists’ roles, such as locums, community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and more. The full response can be found below.
READ THE PDA’S RESPONSE
The PDA continues to raise any issues that members may be facing at the highest level. Any PDA member in Northern Ireland who wishes to share any further concerns or opinions, or discuss any aspect of the PDA’s response, are encouraged to contact PDA National Officer for Northern Ireland, Una O’Farrell, by emailing Una.O’[email protected].
Learn more
- PDA calls on members to share their views on changes to registration fees
- Consultation: Registration and Retention Fees for Pharmacists
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