The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has unveiled a comprehensive package of 11 legally binding reforms for the veterinary sector, including a £21 cap on prescription fees for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional medicines. The changes, which will begin rolling out on September 23, 2026, aim to address excessive charges and improve transparency for pet owners.
Key reforms to benefit pet owners
The CMA's final reforms follow a two-year investigation that found customers could be paying double for commonly prescribed medicines from vet practices compared to online prices, leading to hundreds of pounds in extra costs. The new rules require vets to publish comprehensive price lists for standard services, including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions, and cremation options.
Practices must also provide written estimates for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more, including aftercare costs, with emergency care being the only exception. Additionally, pet owners must be informed that they can obtain a written prescription to purchase medication online, potentially saving them up to £200 a year.
Prescription fee cap details
The CMA initially proposed a £16 cap on prescription fees, but after considering additional evidence, it raised the cap to £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medicines. The watchdog stated that many practices currently charge £30 or more for each prescription. The cap is designed to protect pet owners from excessive charges while ensuring vets can cover reasonable costs.
Martin Coleman, chairman of the independent Inquiry Group, said: “This is the most extensive review of veterinary services in a generation, and today’s reforms will make a real difference to the millions of pet owners who want the best for their pets but struggle to find the practice, treatment and price that meets their needs.”
Mandatory branding and price comparison
Large veterinary groups will be required to clearly display whether a practice is part of a chain or an independent business, both on signage and online. The CMA found that less than half of pet owners using a large group knew their practice was part of a chain. A price comparison website will also be developed through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 'Find a Vet' service, which will share data with third-party comparison sites.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, said: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority. This government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Other changes: cremation costs, switching providers, and complaints
Practices must provide clear, upfront prices for all cremation options, including the lower-cost communal cremation, as pet owners may be paying around £100 more for individual cremations due to weak competition. Out-of-hours providers will be banned from imposing unreasonably long notice periods, making it easier for practices to switch providers. Furthermore, practices must follow a transparent complaints process and engage in mediation when disputes cannot be resolved.
Timeline for implementation
Legally binding orders on businesses are expected to be in place by September 23, 2026. Large providers must publish price lists by December 2026, while small providers have until March 2027. CVS Group, which runs about 500 vet practices in the UK, said: “We are pleased to see that the CMA has considered our and the veterinary profession’s feedback in amending the proposed fee cap on prescriptions with the cap now increased to £21 inclusive of VAT for the first drug prescribed, with the ability to charge an additional £12.50 for each additional drug prescribed at the same time.”
The CMA's reforms aim to put pet owners at the centre while enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgment from undue commercial pressure.
