The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7472 p381-382
6 October 2007

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Letters to the Editor

Retention fees

Financially crippling students

From Miss H. S. Bhakta, MRPharmS

There have been many recent comments in The Journal about the increase in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s membership fees. As the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association, we recognise the reasons for the increase in fees and understand the arguments presented by the Society for this.

However, these increases do not just affect the current members of the Society.

There have been various increases in fees that are aimed at preregistration students. For example, the preregistration training fee has increased from £153 to £230 and the fee for the examination has increased from £180 to £270.

There has also been a recent political decision to increase tuition fees for students across the board. At the end of a four-year course, many students are experiencing financial difficulties.

This increase in fees, which is required before students start their preregistration posts when they are not earning, cripples them further financially.

Some students are having to take out further loans to compensate for this. BPSA members have raised concerns about the timing of the preregistration fee. We would like to ask the Society if this can be altered to a time when it is more financially viable for preregistration pharmacists.

Understandably the separation of the Society and other unforeseeable events has led to financial instability. However we believe that these changes may dissuade people from joining the Register and thus affect the future of the profession.

Heena Bhakta
President
British Pharmaceutical Student’s Association

Actions would only increase financial stress

From Mr A. C. Gush, MRPharmS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is doing everything in its power to keep costs to a minimum and actions of the type suggested in the letter from Fiona Wild (PJ, 22 September, p326) would only increase the financial stress on the Society and reduce our ability to support our members adequately during a time of great change.

The option to pay by cheque (at an estimated administrative cost of £15 per cheque) is, in fact, under review as part of our ongoing cost-cutting exercise and will be withdrawn during 2008, due to the cost.

The main weight of opinion from members will be demonstrated through the consultation which closed on 3 October and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who chose to take part and make a positive contribution to the discussion.

Andrew Gush
Treasurer
Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Reasons for the present situation

From Mr M. E. Q. James, FRPharmS

The letter from Keith Baxter (PJ, 29 September 2007, p352) made me think. Is it not precisely because of those low fee increases (levied as I seem to recall, on occasion for electoral reasons) that we are faced with the present situation?

With regards to age-discrimination, I am treasurer of the local branch of the Workers Educational Association and we have been told that we cannot reduce the attendance fees for those over 65 years of age.

When I made the same points as others, ie, the bus passes, etc, I was told that although the law on age discrimination did not apply to travel, or the social activities, it did to educational activities.

Presumably this is where the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is caught.

Miall E. James
Coggeshall, Colchester

Resign from the Register now

From Mr C. J. Radford

I am writing like so many other retired members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to express solidarity with the views of those of us who feel forced to give up our membership due to the continuing hike in fees.

It is obvious that the hierarchy of the Society is either not listening or is unable to do anything about it.

I would urge any of my fellow pensioners not to retire from the Register at the end of the year, but to write to the Chief Executive and Registrar, as I have done, and resign from the Register now. At least it will demonstrate to someone that we are not prepared to just disappear into the night.

It was a proud moment for me when I joined the Register in 1962. I leave it now without any feelings of sorrow.

C. J. Radford
Lizieres, France

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