Co-op axes contribution to employees’ RPS fees

Just another step in the accelerating erosion of benefits that were offered to pharmacists by the multiples. We have seen, and will see, further attacks on sick pay, pension benefits, time allowed for CPD, enhanced pay rates for working Sundays, Bank Holidays or anti-social hours etc. etc. The predicted oversupply of pharmacy graduates starting in the next few years will also inevitably see an attack on the basic pay offered to pharmacists and their general working conditions.

On top of this is the plummeting status of the pharmacist within the multiple groups where the vast majority of future pharmacy graduates will end up working.

My advice to anyone considering a career in pharmacy is to think twice.

I do not say this lightly…there have been several pharmacists in my family since Robert H. opened his pharmacy in Coronation Street, Sunderland in 1855 but I think I will be the last.

Regards to all.

Clive, I know how you feel. I too have managed to talk both my kids out it. They are happily pursuing degrees in subjects far removed from healthcare.

To the contrary....... my dad is a pharmacist and my son hopes soon to be one.

UK pharmacy is the envy of the world in terms of its professional contribution. The splitting of the "old" Society finally gives us the advocacy we've been so sadly lacking for at least 20 years.

Please join and help strengthen it. We need every single member with us to give pharmacists "a clear strong voice" at long last...........

Graham Phillips, English Pharmacy Board

Totally agree Clive. Pharmacists are the backbone of Boots and Lloyds, etc. When I was a pre-reg EVERYONE was a pharmacist, the store manager, area manager, DM, TM, etc right to the top.
Now it isn't so. Now for multiple managers it seems it can be: last week stacking lynx in bodycare, this week area manager at Boots and treating MURs and NMS like shampoo sales. glad I got out.
Fed up of reading how committed Boots, Co-op, Lloyds, ASDA, etc are to pharmacy. WELL SHOW IT THEN. PAY THE PROFESSIONAL BODY FEES!!! If the company isn't committed how can you expect the store pharmacist on the ground to be?
And which is the totally loopy company paying the RPS fees but NOT the GPC fees? are they doing it this year too? Hope the GPC come and check all your pharma bods. I can guarantee ay least one will have been erased 'cos i thought, like the head office, like pay it, in' it...'!!
I admire Graham's approach, but it's so different in independent land. Long may you continue Graham, and hopefully more of your like will emerge!