The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7317 p383
18 September 2004

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

PDF 110K, Acrobat Reader

· Counterfeit drugs
· Packaging
· Simvastatin
· Shipman inquiry
· The register
· Personal control
· The Society
· New contract
· Employee pharmacists
· Tuberculosis
· Retention fee
· Overseas membership
· Onlooker

Letters to the Editor

Retention fee

Welcome to the world of pharmacy

From Mr A. Marshall, MRPharmS

Last year I spent quite a lot of effort trying to convince a colleague that continuing professional development was not that bad and she should stay on the register as a part-time locum. I have now changed my mind.

Since I qualified nine years ago my salary has increased by 132 per cent — not too bad really, but I do now manage a busy store. In the same period the retention fee has increased by 201 per cent. I wish I could force my employer to increase my salary by the same amount. I am sure the only people happy with this increase are those who do not pay it. I have never before considered leaving pharmacy, but I can earn more money doing a less taxing, less important job with no need for CPD or paying an extortionate amount for the pleasure of being a pharmacist.

I have still to work out what I get (other than The Journal and the rare visit from the inspectorate) for my money. Why can the society simply choose to increase the fee by such a rate? With regard to the fees having to be supplemented by income from The Journal, etc. Welcome to the world of pharmacy. Our income has to be supplemented by selling nappies and cosmetics for we could not survive from NHS business alone.

I believe I am being ripped off and my only alternative is to change profession.

Antony Marshall
Wolverhampton

New retention fee equals half my monthly salary

From Dr M. Hussain, MRPharmS

Has the Royal Pharmaceutical Society fully considered the financial impact the new fee structure will have on some members working overseas? If I choose to remain on the active register, current exchange rates mean that £256 equates to approximately half of my monthly salary. In raising fees in order to sustain its future, the Society must consider the circumstances of all its members. After all, the non-practising fee is being slowly phased in over the next three years. Could such a slow transition be introduced for overseas and part-time members?

Mumtaz Hussain
Penang, Malaysia

Send your letter to The Editor

Previous Topic (Tuberculosis)
Next Topic (Overseas membership)