The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7477 p542
10 November 2007

Society summary

2008 retention fee collection process due to begin next week

The 2008 retention fee collection process will start on Monday 12 November, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has announced. The retention fee forms for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians were due to be posted between 7 and 9 November, as The Journal went to press. Pharmacy premises forms will be posted during December.

To ensure payment is received by the statutory deadline of 1 January 2008 (for pharmacists) and by 31 December 2007 (for technicians), registrants are asked to make payment by 19 December 2007.

Restoration following removal from the register of pharmacists for non-payment of fees incurs a penalty fee of £753 on top of the appropriate retention fee.

The direct debit payment and declaration process has changed for 2008. All those making direct debit payments must make a declaration by 19 December 2007. Declarations can be made online via myRPSGB (at www.rpsgb.org) or by signing and returning the retention fee form. The Society says that failure to make a declaration by this time will result in the cancellation of a registrant’s direct debit and payment will, therefore, have to be made online or by cheque.

The Society points out that 2008 is the last year for which the retention fee can be paid by cheque. From 2009 cheque payment will be withdrawn. Payment via myRPSGB will remain and a new payment method will be introduced.

Online payment via myRPSGB is the quickest way to make a payment and declaration, says the Society. It adds that myRPSGB has been significantly redesigned for 2008. The log-in process is now smoother and a receipt will be instantly available following payment and declaration. There will be no need to return the retention form if payment is made online. Receipts are no longer sent by post. Receipts are now generated electronically and are only available via myRPSGB.

All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, regardless of the method of payment, can download a receipt via myRPSGB. Receipts for online payments are available immediately. Direct debit receipts will be available from 9 January 2008. Cheque receipts will be available 10 days after payment.

The Society does not accept payment using American Express, postal order or BACS transfer.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have not received their retention fee form by 10 December 2007 are advised to contact the Society (tel 020 7572 2322, registration@rpsgb.org).