UK vets face crackdown over fees

The Competition and Markets Authority has ordered caps on written prescription fees and proposed a price comparison website after finding weak competition and large price rises in the UK veterinary market.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has introduced legally binding measures aimed at increasing price transparency in the UK veterinary market. The watchdog ordered caps on written prescription fees and proposed a cost comparison website after a two-and-a-half-year investigation into the £6.7bn market. The CMA reported that public satisfaction with costs was low and that competition among veterinary businesses is not strong. Officials said the changes will require clearer ownership disclosure for practices and standard price information from large groups. Key facts: - The CMA has set a cap on written prescription fees at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional drugs. - The watchdog found average prices of veterinary services rose 63% between 2016 and 2023 and reported consumers were often "left in the dark" about costs. - Legally binding measures include mandatory price lists, a proposed cost comparison website, and requirements for written estimates for treatments expected to cost £500 or more. - Large veterinary groups must make clear which individual practices are part of a chain, and chain practices are expected to publish standard price lists before Christmas. Summary: CMA officials say the measures are intended to improve transparency and increase competition in a market where prices have risen sharply. The immediate status is that several measures are legally binding and some changes are expected to be in place for chain practices before Christmas. Undetermined at this time.