We’re a nation of animal lovers but vet bills in the UK have soared by approximately 63% in recent years
Vets will have to cap prescription fee caps and publish a list of their prices under new measures announced by the competitions watchdog today.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also said a price comparison website would be launched to help boost competition.
Less than 40% of veterinary practices have prices listed on their websites – and the CMA findings revealed they cover few services and are sometimes hard to find.
We’re a nation of animal lovers but vet bills in the UK have soared by approximately 63% in recent years.
The new rules will improve transparency for pet owners and help them make informed choices that could save them money.
I have always cut costs by asking my vet for a prescription for allergy medication for our cat, Munchie.
This medicine costs well over £200 directly from our vet, but we can buy a prescription from them for around £20 and then order the treatment online ourselves for roughly £80.
Many dog and cat lovers do not realise that this is an option.
The CMA research found over 70% of pet owners purchase long-term medication from their vet practice even though many could save £200 a year or more if they bought it online.
Under the new rules, pet owners must be told they can have a written prescription which could save them money. Prescription fees will also be capped at £21 for the first medicine, then £12.50 for any additional items.
Vet practices say high prices reflect the specialised medical care they offer and point out that there is no NHS equivalent for animals – but there is no doubt that pet owners have been clobbered by expensive costs in recent years.
Sadly, animal charities have warned that people are increasingly having their sick cats and dogs put down, or are putting off taking them to the vet because of higher bills.
People are also getting into debt or are giving up their animals to be rehomed.
Any measures that help give people easier access to cheaper treatment and medicines is welcome news for us and our furry friends.
But pet owners will still need to be proactive in comparing prices and looking for the cheapest treatment options.
