Pet owners will get clearer price information and a legal cap on written prescription charges, while independent veterinary practices warn the changes will squeeze their earnings. The Competition and Markets Authority has made a package of remedies binding, including a £21 cap on written prescription fees, and given practices up to 12 months to implement the measures.
Under the rules, practices must publish comprehensive price lists that cover consultations, common procedures and cremation options. Any treatment expected to cost £500 or more will require a written estimate in advance, including aftercare costs and an itemised bill, with emergencies exempted. Businesses must also disclose whether they are part of a larger group or independently owned.
To help customers compare options locally, price and ownership information will be published via the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Find a Vet service and made available to third party comparison sites. The CMA says timelines for compliance will vary depending on the specific regulation and the size of the veterinary group.
"The changes that are being required are changes that will help inform pet owners about prices," said CMA panel chair Martin Coleman. The watchdog said its intervention followed an investigation that found veterinary prices rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation.
Independent practice owners warned the package will shift where firms recover margin. Cate Titterton, who runs a small service in Saltburn, said if pharmacies can no longer count on modest profits from dispensed drugs, practices will have to raise fees for services such as consultations and surgeries, which she said could make larger corporate groups the beneficiary.
Representing the profession, British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams said many surgeries already follow the CMA's recommended practices on complaints handling, price estimates for routine procedures and prescription costs. He said the association has urged the CMA to avoid disproportionate burdens on smaller practices and has pushed back where needed.
The changes aim to increase transparency for pet owners, but critics and some vets say the net effect may be higher bills for routine services as independent clinics adjust. The CMA has set the legal framework, and the sector now faces a phased rollout over the coming year as practices bring their pricing and disclosure into line.
