UK vets face crackdown over fees as pet owners ‘left in the dark’ on bills

Practices must publish price lists, cap prescription fees and reveal if they are part of a large group, watchdog says

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The UK’s competition watchdog has ordered vets to cap prescription fees at £21 and proposed a price comparison website, after finding consumers had faced huge price rises and been “left in the dark” over bills.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said public satisfaction with the cost of services was “low” after an investigation into the £6.3bn market found “there is not strong competition between veterinary businesses”, with large chains dominant.