The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK, which will see the introduction of legally binding measures designed to help pet owners make better informed decisions about veterinary treatment.
The new measures include a cap on prescription fees at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medicines, plus a requirement for practices to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options. Vets must also make clear if the location is part of a larger group.
Practices must also provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more, including aftercare costs, plus an itemised bill except in the case of emergencies.
The CMA has also ruled that an online price comparison site should be available to pet owners and has mandated the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to run a ‘Find a Vet’ service which will share data with third-party comparison sites.
In addition, the CMA also backed the government’s recently-proposed reforms to the Veterinary Services Act which will make veterinary businesses as well as individuals accountable to an independent regulator.
A timetable has been published for the new requirements, with the price lists required to be in place for large operators by December 2026 and small practices by March 2027. The prescription price cap will come into force by March 2027 for large groups and September 2027 for independent operators.
The CMA launched its review of the sector in September 2023 and says that it received “an unprecedented response” from both the public and the trade. A total of 56,000 responses were reviewed, including 45,000 from the general public and 11,000 responses from those working in the veterinary industry, which equates to around a fifth of UK vets and veterinary nurses.
Martin Coleman, chair 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.
“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. Our measures mean it will be made clear to pet owners which practices are part of large groups, which are charging higher prices, and for the first time, vet businesses will be held to account by an independent regulator.”
