The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has agreed its fees for 2011 as it prepares to take over pharmacy regulation from September 27.

The renewal fees for a 12-month period will be £262 for pharmacists, £142 for pharmacy technicians and £217 for pharmacy premises, after these rates were rubber-stamped at a meeting of the council.

The regulator has opted not to offer a low-income fee. “Regulatory responsibility applies to all registrants, whether  they work full or part time and whatever their total income,” the council said.

And those who wish to pay their renewal fees by direct debit quarterly instalments will be charged an additional £15, to cover the costs associated with “payment in arrears, technical and operational costs”,  despite opposition from those responding to a consultation on the matter.