costs and healthcare regulators: a win, win situation? - a postscript to the 04/06/07 article

In last month's article, one of the reasons put forward for a change of attitude on the part of healthcare regulators for the obtaining of costs jurisdiction was the ever increasing financial burden of disciplinary proceedings. A related point was the concern expressed by some registrants as to the utilisation of the registration fee in regulating those, of whom it may be said, have abused their professional position.

At its July 2007 meeting, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) increased registration and retention fees by about 50%. The Society's Treasurer said "the cost of regulation has risen dramatically as a direct result of the Section 60 Order".

The Treasurer also mentioned pensions and the cost of separating the Society into two independent bodies as being contributing causes. The new fee for a pharmacist on the practising part of the register will rise from £283 to £425 per year.

Not every pharmacist is happy with the increase. An on-line petition demands that the Society reconsider the increase in fees. A protest by some 8,000 pharmacists has been recorded since the posting of the petition on the 31 July. The RPSGB has said that all members will be invited to take part in the official consultation via the Society's website.

Stephen Murfitt is head of Blake Lapthorn's Litigation and Dispute Resolution department and specialises in professional disciplinary work.  To contact Stephen Muriftt email stephen.murfitt@bllaw.co.uk or call 023 8085 7233.