One of the CMA's most impactful proposed reforms is capping the fee that vets can charge for written prescriptions. Currently, prescription fees vary from £10 to £30, with some practices charging as much as £35. The CMA has identified that high prescription fees are being used by some practices to discourage pet owners from buying medication elsewhere.
The Current Situation
A written prescription allows pet owners to buy POM-V medications from online pharmacies, where prices are typically 40–70% lower than at the vet practice. However, high prescription fees erode these savings and deter some owners from seeking prescriptions at all.
The CMA found that:
- Many practices do not proactively inform owners about their right to a prescription
- Some practices set prescription fees deliberately high to discourage their use
- Prescription fees have increased significantly in recent years, outpacing inflation
The Proposed Cap
The exact level of the cap has not been confirmed yet (as of March 2026). The CMA is consulting on what a "reasonable" fee would be. Industry observers expect the cap to be set at £10–£15, which would cover the vet's administrative costs without being punitive.
Impact on Pet Owners
For owners paying current fees of £20–£30, a cap at £15 would save £10–£30 per year in prescription fees (assuming 2 prescriptions per year). More importantly, a lower and standardised fee would remove the psychological barrier that prevents some owners from requesting prescriptions.
How to Save Now
You do not need to wait for the cap. You can request a written prescription from your vet today. Even at the current fee levels, the savings from buying online far exceed the prescription cost for most medications. For a pet on Metacam (saving ~£25 per bottle online), just one bottle purchased online covers the prescription fee with change to spare.
Last updated: March 2026. Sources: CMA provisional decision (October 2025), CMA consultation on remedies.