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.”