Vet prescription fees capped under rule changes

Written prescription fees from vets will be capped at £21 as part of a raft of changes that practices will be legally required to bring in over the coming months.

Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online, write price estimates ahead of treatment, and publish price lists for services as part of the rule updates.

The official competition watchdog has brought the measures into force after its investigation into the sector found prices had been rising at nearly twice the rate of inflation.

However, critics say the measures will hit independent vets hardest and will benefit the six firms that own more than two-thirds of practices.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) made its remedies for the sector legally binding as of Tuesday and vets have up to 12 months to bring all the changes in.

Vet practices must publish a "comprehensive" price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, and cremation options

A written estimate must be provided in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more, including aftercare costs, plus an itemised bill. Emergencies are the only exception to this

Vet businesses must make clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business