CMA market investigation into veterinary services for household pets

 

The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a market investigation into the supply of veterinary services for household pets in the UK. The investigation will extend to the supply of prescribed veterinary medicines for those pets.

The CMA has identified features that may make it difficult for consumers to make well-informed choices, including information asymmetry, vulnerability at the point of purchase, and lack of transparency about pricing, ownership of the vet practice and treatment options.

The CMA finds that a majority of vets practices are owned by large corporate groups where their business models may lead to limited consumer choice.

The CMA also considers that consumers may be over-paying for medicines and that there are weaknesses in the relevant regulatory frameworks.

Between October and December 2024, the CMA plans to publish working papers which will set out its initial thinking.

The CMA must publish its final report by 22 November 2025.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-presses-ahead-with-full-investigation-into-vets-market