Vet prescription fees to be capped as regulator cracks down on sector – here's what's happening and when

Regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today (Tuesday 24 March) announced a series of legally binding measures for vet practices across the UK, after its wide-ranging investigation found that "the current system is not working as well as it should" and "must change".

The reforms will take place gradually over the next two years

Most providers, which are part of the large chains that make up about 60% of the sector, will be expected to implement the changes as of the dates listed below, the CMA says. But smaller or independent practices (those with fewer than 15 locations) will be given a bit of extra time – around three months longer in most cases.

By December 2026, vet practices will need to:

• Be clearer about prices upfront

• Be more transparent about their ownership structure

By March 2027, they'll need to:

• Cap prescription costs

• Make it easier to complain

And by June 2027:

• Billing practices will be improved

• New price comparison services could launch

• You'll be told if you can save by buying medicines online

Prices to be made clearer upfront

By December 2026 (or March 2027 for smaller providers), practices will need to:

• Publish price lists on their websites, laying out fees for "standard services" such as consultations, common procedures, written prescriptions and more. The CMA found that less than 40% of veterinary practices currently have prices listed on their websites, and the lists can sometimes be difficult to find.

• Clearly explain the pricing and savings included in the 'pet care plans' they offer. They'll need to set out the real value of any "advertised savings", the total charge, and prices of individual components included in these monthly or annual plans.

• Explain ALL options available to pet owners when it comes to cremation. This includes clear pricing for the cremation itself, fees for any relevant add-ons, and information about the difference between individual (and therefore more expensive) and communal pet cremations.

• Have written policies and processes to ensure vets can give pet owners "impartial advice about costs". During its investigation, the CMA found that the duty of vets to provide pet owners with independent and impartial advice could sometimes be compromised by the commercial pressure to make money.

More transparency over ownership

Currently, six large groups control around 60% of all practices across the UK, according to the CMA – but its research found that less than half of people using one of these groups knew that their practice was part of a chain.

To help address this, information about each practice's ownership will need to be displayed online and in the practice itself by December 2026 (or March 2027 for smaller providers).

Veterinary prescription costs to be capped

The CMA says some pet owners are being charged "high prices" to get a written prescription issued, with many practices charging "£30 or above for each prescription" – not including the cost of the medicine itself.

By March 2027 (or September 2027 for smaller providers), these fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and £12.50 for any additional medicines prescribed within the same consultation. The caps include VAT, and will be adjusted each year to account for inflation.

However, as is the case now, these fees will only cover the written prescription (which allows you to buy the medicine) – you'll still need to pay for the cost of the medicine itself separately.

Complaining to become easier

The current complaints system is "ineffective", with no mandatory process for vet practices or redress system for pet owners when things go wrong, the CMA found.

By September 2027, all practices will need to set out and follow a transparent, accessible complaints process – and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.

Billing practices to be improved

By June 2027 (or September 2027 for smaller providers):

• You must be given an itemised bill for treatments and other services. This will allow you to more easily compare the charges with previous estimates, and with prices at other vets.

• If treatment is expected to cost £500 or more (including VAT), practices will be required to give you a written estimate of the full cost, plus an itemised bill – unless it's an emergency. The estimate should take into account aftercare costs as well.

New price comparison services could launch

Under the reforms, you'll be able to compare the pricing and ownership structure of veterinary practices nearby. Initially, this information will be included on the 'Find a Vet' service provided by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

By June 2027, the data should be made available to "approved third parties who would like to provide comparison sites". This will allow you to see different practices' pricing policies before deciding where to bring your pet.

Vets will have to tell you if you can buy medicines for less online

More than 70% of pet owners could save £200 or more each year on long-term medication if they purchased it online (instead of directly from their veterinary practice), according to the CMA.

By June 2027 (or September 2027 for smaller providers), practices will have to tell you that you can get a written prescription at a capped cost, and/or that the medicines "may be significantly cheaper online". If you request a prescription, practices will be required to issue this in person before you leave or by email within 48 hours.