Stories

Mon, 21 Sep 2026

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 Vet prescription fees capped under rule changes

Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online as part of the rule updates which surgeries have the coming months to bring in.

* Written prescription fees from vets will be capped at £21.
* Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online, write price estimates ahead of treatment, and publish price lists for services.
* The changes were brought in by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after an investigation found that vet prices were rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation.
* Critics say the measures will hit independent vets hardest and benefit larger firms.
* Vets have up to 12 months to bring in the changes, which include: + Publishing a "comprehensive" price list for standard services + Providing written estimates for treatments expected to cost £500 or more + Informing clients whether they are part of a group or an independent business + Making price and ownership information available through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' "Find a Vet" service.