Summary
The Department has today launched a consultation targeted at key stakeholders including community pharmacies, and pharmacy representative bodies seeking views on several options for increasing pharmacy Premises Fees which have not been increased since 2011.
Documents
- Premises Fees consultation document
- Article 2 Windsor Framework Screening document
- Equality Screening Premises fees document
- Regulatory Screening Premise fees document
- Rural Needs Impact Assessment Premises fees document
Consultation description
Fees are the primary source of income for the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (the Society) which is responsible for regulation of the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland.
The Society as with many businesses and organisations, has faced financial challenges resulting in a large increase in its running and operating costs. The increasing cost in protecting the public in an ever evolving and innovative healthcare environment has also added an additional financial burden on the Society. Unfortunately, the current level of Premises Fees no longer makes an adequate contribution to the cost of delivering modern pharmacy regulation in Northern Ireland.
Responses to this consultation will help the Department determine an appropriate fee increase that will contribute to the Society’s income and enable it to provide the high-quality service that pharmacists, patients, and the public expect of a Regulator.