The UK's competition watchdog has ordered veterinary practices to cap prescription fees at £21 and publish price lists, following a two-and-a-half-year investigation into the £6.7bn market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that pet owners had faced huge price rises and been 'left in the dark' over bills, with public satisfaction 'low'.
Under the legally binding measures, written prescription fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional drugs. Vets must also inform pet owners that medicines may be cheaper online and that they can obtain a prescription to save money. The CMA estimates these measures could save pet owners hundreds of pounds.
Other requirements include providing a written estimate for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more, and itemised bills. Large veterinary groups must make it clear that individual practices are part of a chain. A comparison website will also be established to increase competition and drive down costs.
The CMA found that average vet service prices rose 63% between 2016 and 2023, much faster than general inflation. It noted that internal documents from large groups linked price increases to an expectation that pet owners would not switch providers. Over 60% of practices are owned by six large groups, including CVS, Pets at Home, Medivet, IVC, VetPartners, and Linnaeus.
Martin Coleman, chair of the independent inquiry group, said: 'Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds.' The British Veterinary Association welcomed the focus on transparency, while some chains expressed comfort with the remedies despite believing some are not fully justified.
