Vet Prescriptions Capped at £21 in Major Pricing Crackdown

Pet owners will pay a maximum of £21 for vet prescriptions and practices will have to publish their price lists for services following a crackdown from the UK’s competition market watchdog.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruled that written prescription fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medication.

Vets must also now tell pet owners that medicines may be cheaper online which could save them money, following the ruling.

The CMA estimates that the pricing crackdown could save pet owners hundreds of pounds.

The measures follow an almost three-year investigation into the industry after the CMA found that some pet owners were being overcharged for commonly prescribed medicine.

Average prices of vet services rose 63% between 2016 and 2023, much faster than the general rate of inflation.

Around 60% of UK households own a pet and the CMA estimates the sector is worth over £6.7bn.

What else is changing?

Under the new rules, vets must publish a detailed list of standard services, including consultation fees, common procedures, and written prescriptions.

A new comparison website will also be set up to simplify the process of finding a vet practice.

The rule change aims to encourage more transparency by making all vets publicise whether they are part of a larger veterinary group or an independent business.

Vets must now provide a written estimate in advance of any non-emergency treatment that costs £500 or more.