Society proposes inflation-only fee rise and staged payments
Royal Pharmaceutical Society fees for next year will be increased only
around the level of inflation, the Society’s Council has proposed.
Staged payment of fees are also planned.
Members will have the chance to comment on whether pharmacists on low
incomes should be subject to a reduced fee. The new retention fee for
practising pharmacists is expected to be £410 (corresponding to
a 3.9 per cent increase) if no low-income concession is made or £413
(a 4.5 per cent rise) if a low-income category is introduced.
The Society’s Treasurer Andrew Gush said: “The Council received
a great deal of feedback from members following the 2008 fees consultation.
We have looked to learn from the lessons of last year and take on board
the feedback. This is reflected in the introduction of staged payments
for 2009 and proposals for an inflation-only increase to fees and of
course the proposed introduction of a low income fee for pharmacists.”
A consultation
document, published on the Society’s website,
sets out the the current fee structure and proposals for 2009 fee levels. “I
encourage all members to participate in this consultation — this
is your opportunity to have a direct impact on the Council’s decision-making
[on] fees,” said Mr Gush.
The proposed fees for non-practising pharmacists are £70 for European
or British Isles residents and £123 for those in other countries.
Supplementary and independent prescribers are to be subject to an additional £51
fee. Members are invited to respond to the proposals by 6 August 2008.
Full
details of proposed fees for 2009, including those for pharmacy
technicians |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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