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 and these are at the heart of the PDA’s response.
The GPhC says in the consultation, undertaken between 30 January 2025 and 24 April 2025, that despite making savings following the increase in fees in 2023 its operating costs have continued to go up.
The GPhC says that to make sure that it can fulfil its main role of protecting the public it is proposing to increase the fees for pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy premises registrations. It goes on to say that it is proposing to introduce a two-year fee cycle from September 2025 to provide registrants with certainty on their fees until September 2027.
The proposal by the GPhC to increase fees by 6% in September 2025 and a further 6% in September 2026 would result in:
- Pharmacist renewal fees increasing in September 2025 by £17 to £293 then rising in September 2026 by a further £17 to £310.
- Pharmacy technician renewal fees increasing in September 2025 by £8 to £138 then rising in September 2026 by a further £8 to £146.
- Pharmacy premises renewal fees increasing in September 2025 by £24 to £416 then rising in September 2026 by a further £25 to £441.
The key items addressed in the PDA’s response, which considers the findings from the PDA member survey and learnings from other regulators, are:
- 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 bricks 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 disquiet observed in the member survey responses around the GPhC premises in Canary Wharf and the ongoing cost of being located in this location.
- The GPhC not publishing its Equality Impact Assessment alongside the consultation.
Read the full PDA’s full response below
Read the GPhC Consultation document below
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