PDA Survey shows likely impact on part-timers of increase in retention fees and mandatory CPD

The PDA has conducted a telephone survey involving nearly 600 pharmacists (a statistically valid sample of its 'part-time registered' membership), to ascertain their intentions to renew their RPSGB registration next year, in view of the increased fees and the introduction of compulsory CPD from 2005.

Of those contacted, 22 % indicated that they would not be renewing their membership next year, three quarters of whom said they would reconsider their position if it were not for the impact of increased fees (10%) or CPD (10%) or both (55%).

Equally alarming was the impact both of these factors may have on subsequent years. A further 10% of part-time registered pharmacists intend to allow their registration to lapse in 2006 as a direct consequence of the increase in fees (52%), the onus of CPD (14.3%), or the combination of both (33%). The most common reasons given for this delay is the obligation they felt to honour their confirmed bookings and the staged, rather than the absolute, introduction of CPD record audit.

66.3% of pharmacists surveyed said, unequivocally, that they would continue to practise, but of those, a quarter expressed unsolicited negative views regarding the increase in fees.

John Murphy, PDA's General Manager said, "We are in a perfect position to give an objective view of part-time pharmacists' reaction toward these events given that we have direct access to our members for whom we provide a specific policy for their registration classification".

He added, "The results indicate that the increase in retention fees is very likely to accelerate the departure of a group of pharmacists from the Register, many of whom are highly valued by employers and patients, which will bring additional pressure to bear on the pharmacy labour supply.

It would also be fair to say that most of the pharmacists surveyed were resigned to the fact that mandatory CPD was imminent. Although many were concerned - particularly in view of their career stage - that the pressure they would be under to produce the necessary records for inspection would entice them to leave the Register, sooner rather than later."

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For further information please contact:

John Murphy

Tel: 0121 694 7000

Email: john.murphy@the-pda.org

Or

Veronica Wray

Tel: 0207 572 2438 or 07710 624454

Email: veronica.wray@rpsgb.org

Notes to Editors

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), is a non-profit making organisation, a company limited by guarantee and currently provides indemnity protection for more than 10,000 pharmacists in the UK.

The primary aims of the PDA are to;

• Support pharmacists in their legal, practice and employment needs.
• Provide insurance cover to safeguard and defend the reputation of the individual pharmacist.
• Proactively seek to influence the professional, practice and employment agenda to support members.
• Lead and supporting initiatives designed to improve the knowledge and skills of pharmacists in managing risk and safe practices, so improving patient care.
• Work with like-minded organisations to further improve the membership benefits to individual pharmacists.