Before submitting a response to the GPhC consultation on potential fee increases the PDA listened to the views of pharmacists and more than 3,800 PDA members said what they thought. This informed the response the PDA submitted on behalf of all members. The PDA’s response can be found here.
PDA members in Great Britain are now making it clear that they are extremely disappointed that their regulator has consulted on an initial proposal, learned that the vast majority of respondents reject it with many raising concerns about equality implications, but has disregarded those concerns and decided to implement the proposal unchanged.
A flat percentage increase to all existing fees means that opportunities to address inequality and unfairness in the current fee structure have been missed.
The PDA reiterates a call for transparency in how the GPhC reached its decision, including:
- Although their new smaller offices may be lower cost to occupy than their previous offices in the same premium district, registrants will want more information about alternative options that could have secured greater savings.
- A key focus of the PDA consultation response was to remove inequality from the fee structure and the PDA reiterates its request that the GPhC publish in full their equality impact assessment.
These are just some aspects of greater transparency called for in the PDA submission.
The PDA will be further examining the information about how this decision was reached and in the meantime, pharmacists who disagree with this decision can contact the GPhC to let them know their views directly here or by emailing Info@pharmacyregulation.org.
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