How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:56:28 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make"]Or might the new requirements be just another inflationary factor, and put prices UP by a few percent?[/quote]

This is my prediction. I can see my hand being forced to increase consultation fees by a significant percentage and probably raise the make up on things for short term use to the £16 figure or whatever is set - so they also cost the client much more.

I then predict that very little will happen this time, much as it did the last time this happened. The few who want cheap drugs get them, BUT I get some more back on consults, OOH fees, GA fee, whatever, BUT most people just want a simple service and the convenience of taking meds there and then. I don't think this means I can get rid of the dispensary.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Alistair Graham-Evans — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:38:30 GMT

Bloody hell!

I would struggle to charge a third of that with full investigation and treatment at our clinic. And possible to relieve suffering for a few pounds. Yes - we are very profitable.
A client who is an anaesthetist ( the best paid medics in Australia) was amused that the anaesthetic fee for his dog one weekend OOH was more than even he would charge.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:19:33 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make/248050#248050"]Not so long ago in such a case the professional would unblock the cat and then see what could be done (if anything) about payment.[/quote]

That is what I still do.

Don't even need to unblock the cat; a long needle and syringe, cystocentesis and some pain relief and the immediate emergency has been addressed and averted before a discussion can place about how to progess with the case and payment.

Still possible to do a lot, with very little, at minimal cost.

[quote userid="2131" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make/248050#248050"]Wtf happened to the profession I joined?[/quote]

The profession sold out to, and allowed, managers, bean counters, and corporate companies to run veterinary practices, while the powers that be sat around mast(ic)(urb)ating and doing sweet FA about it.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:54:09 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make/248045#248045"]Had a case a while back, weekend and a possibly (happened before so owners aware) blocked cat where owners were told it would be a minimum of £3000. Owners little money, so took their chance and waited until Monday morning, by which time the cat was in extremis and was PTS. Costs aside, this is a major welfare issue too. [/quote]

Not so long ago in such a case the professional would unblock the cat and then see what could be done (if anything) about payment.

Wtf happened to the profession I joined?

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:10:16 GMT

[quote userid="13891" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make/248044#248044"]I do agree but might there be light at the end of the tunnel with he number of capable entrepreneurial vets starting up independently. [/quote]

Yes, I think the time is ripe.

3 independents that I locum for are doing really well, fully booked and busy with good work. 2 have closed their books to new clients at the moment and have waiting lists of folks waiting to join. 2 of them also vet potential new clients and only accept the ones they want.

If I was 30 years younger (and keener) I would jump at the chance.

The same independents don't seem too phased by the CMA report either; as I say they are fully booked, snowed under with work, and are turning folk away. They could easily increase prices by 20% or so and still be cheaper than the corporates.

[quote userid="6765" url="~/f/non-clinical-questions/31271/how-much-difference-will-the-cma-proposals-make/248043#248043"]We are seeing this trend already- staff at OOH centres tell me of animals being euthanased for financial reasons when the clinics will not compromise on advanced treatment and monitoring protocols. [/quote]

And don't forget the increase in euthanasias or those that just die, that don't even get to the OOH clinics becaue folkd cannot afford it.

Had a case a while back, weekend and a possibly (happened before so owners aware) blocked cat where owners were told it would be a minimum of £3000. Owners little money, so took their chance and waited until Monday morning, by which time the cat was in extremis and was PTS. Costs aside, this is a major welfare issue too.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Judith Joyce — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:11:39 GMT

I do agree but might there be light at the end of the tunnel with he number of capable entrepreneurial vets starting up independently.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Alistair Graham-Evans — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:37:17 GMT

As discussed before I think the overall cost of veterinary fees will rise. Independents will have to increase service fees to survive and maintain profitability.

I may be cynical, but I suspect once the large online pharmacies have over a certain percentage of the market the cost of long term medications for chronic conditions will start to sneak upwards. The frequency of checks to get repeat prescriptions will increase and fees for online consultations will increase too.

The days of your local friendly vet providing convenient easy access medications and low cost or even free ongoing advice will be designated to the history books. Arlo - your search for a low cost vet able to provide commonsense practical treatments and advice will be in vain!
My guess looking at all the variables, including more routine blood testing before dispensing repeat prescriptions is that the CMA proposals will increase vet fees by about 15 - 20%.

Of course, I may be wrong but I’m damn sure the cost won’t decrease.
Also, ( not CMA related but related to over-treatment) with loss of skills in general practice the cost of treating many conditions due to increased referral will increase so the euthanasia rate for conditions previously managed in general practice will increase. We are seeing this trend already- staff at OOH centres tell me of animals being euthanased for financial reasons when the clinics will not compromise on advanced treatment and monitoring protocols.

RE: How much difference will the CMA proposals make?

Judith Joyce — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:44:16 GMT

The cost of running a dispensary is significant, maintaining supply chain, resources, cost of VMD and EA compliance. Practices will still have to run a dispensary for emergency medicines and injectables, turning dispensary from profit to cost centre - it won't generate the profit from the much more profitable large volume oral and topical preparations sold in much larger numbers. The LVGs negotiate bigger discounts with wholesalers and manufacturers, and can cross subsidise with their online pharmacies. Competitive advantage handed to the LVGs by CMA, I think.

Many first opinion practices refer much of their surgical work, apart from the commoditised procedures where margins are small, so that income stream can't be maximised. LVGs can cross subsidise with internal referrals.

Overheads and cost of employment (NI and increasing employment legislation) is increasing so not much headroom for saving there

Consultation fees will have to go up, due to loss of a drug sales as an income generator, in smaller practices.

Yes, consultations are undervalued but will the market stand an increase, especially when the LVGs can cross subidise and advertise lower prices than small independents. It's going to take some pretty fancy marketing (again LVGs have often have better resources for that) to get the message home that the increased consultation fee in a small independent is justified. The only saving grace is that still the most important factor in choice of vet is trust and reputation (shown in a few studies, including CMA data) , gained by clients seeing the same vet and quality of care. Will the independents be able to make the most of that competitive advantage?

CMA proposed similar measures last time around more than 20 years ago - free prescriptions for a while, obligation telling clients they could have those free written prescriptions, a prominent notice in reception informing clients of our 'top ten' drug prices (what a farce that was). If it didn't work then, whiy will it work now. I wonder who suggested it this time round?