Headline: Vet Prescription Fees Capped at £21 Under New Pricing Rules

Date: 22 September 2026 Tags: Veterinary Care, Consumer Rights, Regulation, Pet Costs

Summary:

• Veterinary practices will face a £21 cap on fees charged for providing written prescriptions.

• Vets must inform customers when prescribed medicines can be purchased more cheaply online.

• Practices will have to publish comprehensive prices for consultations, common procedures and cremation services.

• Treatments expected to cost £500 or more will require advance written estimates, except during emergencies.

• Customers must receive itemised bills, including relevant treatment and aftercare costs.

• Practices must clearly disclose whether they are independently owned or belong to a larger veterinary group.

• Price and ownership information will become available through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ comparison service.

• The Competition and Markets Authority introduced the rules after finding veterinary prices were rising nearly twice as quickly as inflation.

• Veterinary businesses have up to 12 months to implement all requirements, depending on their size and specific regulations.

• Some independent vets warn reduced medicine income could result in higher consultation and treatment charges elsewhere.

Why this matters: The reforms aim to make veterinary costs more transparent and help pet owners compare prices before agreeing to treatment.

What’s next: Veterinary practices will progressively introduce the legally binding changes over the next 12 months.