The Competition and Markets Authority has unveiled a package of veterinary transparency reforms that will require practices to publish prices, give written estimates and tighten complaints handling.

Although the regulator says the changes should impose only limited administrative costs, VetSurgeon.org estimates that implementation may still run to several thousand pounds for some practices.

Under the reforms, practices will need to:

  • Update signage and marketing materials if part of a group to display the practice owner.
  • Ensure marketing materials and signage clearly set out out-of-hours arrangements, staff qualifications and accreditations.
  • Publish a standardised price list online and in-practice for consultations and a wide range of diagnostics, treatments and procedures defined by the CMA, for five standardised pet characteristic and weight categories.
  • Publish prices for commonly sold flea, tick and worm products, plus a link to the VMD Register of online retailers, both online and in-practice.
  • Publish full pet care plan details, including standalone prices and an explanation of any claimed cost savings.
  • Submit practice information and pricing data to the RCVS for publication via an upgraded Find a Vet comparison platform.
  • Provide written estimates for treatment pathways likely to cost £500 or more and update them if costs are likely to increase by 20% or £500.
  • Provide itemised bills.
  • Put written clinical freedom policies and processes in place.
  • Give clients written information produced by the RCVS about prescriptions and buying medicines elsewhere, including via practice websites, posters and emails, and tell owners during consultations.
  • Provide written prescriptions at the end of a consultation or digitally within 48 hours.
  • When prescribing own-brand medicines, tell clients about the reference product alternative and identify it in writing.
  • Provide additional information to owners receiving ongoing medication about their ability to request a written prescription and potential savings from buying medicines elsewhere.
  • Check any out-of-hours contract to ensure notice periods do not exceed 12 months and no termination fee applies after that period.
  • Offer a communal cremation service and publish clear information about cremation options and prices, including add-ons.
  • Put a written complaints procedure in place, publish it and keep a complaint log.
  • Take part in mediation in good faith when required.

In total, the CMA package introduces more than a dozen new operational requirements for veterinary practices.

Practices will also have to pay a new levy to the RCVS to fund its expanded role running the price comparison service, estimated at £450-£550 annually, after a £150-£250 setup charge.

Once the Order is made — currently expected in September 2026 — most of the transparency measures will need to be implemented within three months by larger veterinary groups and six months by smaller practices.

More operational changes, such as written estimates, itemised billing and the new prescription rules, follow later, with smaller practices typically given up to 12 months to comply.

The final stage will see practices submitting data to the RCVS for its upgraded Find a Vet comparison platform once the system has been built.

Prescription fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine prescribed in a consultation and £12.50 for each additional medicine, with both figures rising annually in line with CPI, and practices will need to assess the impact on their business model.