The NPA is asking for the RPSGB retention fee to be held at the present level, given the financial pressures on pharmacy businesses, many of which pay retention fees for their staff.

Margaret Peycke, NPA External Relations Manager said:

"The justification to charge RPSGB members more is unclear, especially as such a large increase in fees (40%) was made in 2008, the declared purpose of which was to provide the RPSGB with the resources to create the regulatory and professional leadership bodies. In such circumstances, an uplift to fees in the region of 2.2% is inappropriate."

"NPA members already coping with a challenging economic environment are not in a position to comfortably absorb such increases, bearing in mind that many employers fund their employee pharmacist and technician retention fees. The NPA has recently surveyed its members and over 80% highlighted the current burden of costs on their pharmacy business."

In addition the fee set by the RPSGB is a fee which will be divided between the new regulatory body (GPhC) and the new professional leadership body (PLB) after the split which is due to occur in April 2010. The document does not indicate how the fees will be apportioned between the bodies or make mention of the fact that existing members of RPSGB who do not wish to join the new PLB do not have to and will be entitled to a refund on the unused element of the fees apportioned to the PLB.

Source
National Pharmacy Association