The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has proposed to increase its registration fees by 6% annually over the next two years amid financial concerns.

The regulator has today launched a consultation in which it is seeking views from those among the profession about a 6% increase in fees from September 2025, and then a further 6% increase on these fees from September 2026.

The changes would mean that from September 2025, pharmacist renewal fees would increase by £17 to £293.

And from September 2026 they would rise again by a further £17 to £310.

The GPhC said the proposals came in wake of a ‘significant increase’ in its operational costs, as well as a rise in the amount of fitness to practice (FtP) concerns raised which it said had led to increased workloads and costs.

While it said it was making cost savings where possible, it suggested fee increases are still needed to make sure that the GPhC can continue to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities effectively.

Chief executive of the GPhC Duncan Rudkin said: ‘We understand that these proposed fee increases come at a time when many people within pharmacy are experiencing increased financial pressures.

‘But we believe that the fee increases we are proposing are necessary so that we can fulfil our statutory duties and provide assurance to the public.’

He added: ‘We are currently in deficit and our financial projections show that this will remain and increase over the next five years.

‘This is not sustainable, and alongside measures we are taking to reduce expenditure and lower our reserves; it leaves us with no alternative but to raise our fees.’

Mr Rudkin said the regulator was doing ‘everything we can to keep these proposed fee increases as low as possible’ and had made ‘significant savings’ including to its accommodation costs.

The consultation is open from 30 January to 24 April 2025.

Chief executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Paul Bennett commented: ‘We remain concerned about the significant increase proposed, which is well above the current rate of inflation of 2.5%.

‘We are mindful of the financial pressures faced by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and we will engage constructively with the consultation process to ensure the views of our members are heard.’