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Vet prescription fees to be capped at £21
The CMA found vet fees rose nearly twice inflation; reforms include caps on prescriptions and require price lists to improve competition and transparency for UK pet owners.
- On Tuesday, the Competition and Markets Authority announced legally binding reforms for the £6.7 billion veterinary sector, capping written prescription fees at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional medicines.
- Triggered by a two-and-a-half-year inquiry, the regulator acted after finding veterinary service prices rose 63% between 2016 and 2023, while fewer than 40% of practices published pricing online.
- Practices must provide written estimates for treatments exceeding £500, while mandatory branding for large chains and a new price comparison website aim to boost competition for the nation's 17 million pet owners.
- CVS Group described the remedies as "workable," while British Veterinary Association president Dr. Rob Williams called the transparency measures a "really positive step" despite noting rising costs reflect medical advances.
- The CMA has six months to impose legally binding orders, with most measures expected to be in place by September 23, 2026, ensuring vet businesses are held accountable by an independent regulator for the first time.
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Vets trips to have lower prices and fewer nasty surprises
Trips to vets in the UK could soon become less expensive. And crucially, there should be fewer nasty surprises when the bill comes. Vet practices will have to publish standard price lists. Any treatment costing over £500 (except emergencies) will require a detailed written estimate. And prescriptions will have a price cap of £21. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its investigation into vet services for household pets in t…
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources34
Leaning Left8Leaning Right5Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Center
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center
L 30%
C 52%
R 18%
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