The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has begun its review of the findings from the market investigation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The document sets out a number of suggested remedies which the CMA believes will balance competition in the veterinary services market.
FIVP is supportive of some of these potential actions, but also expresses concerns about the wider impact this might have on future cost and provision of veterinary services.
The organisation welcomes remedies which seek to improve transparency across the small animal veterinary sector, particularly in regards to the costs of services, costs of medicines and the ownership of practices.
FIVP is also gratified that the CMA has recognised the necessity of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act. The veterinary sector has changed dramatically since the Veterinary Surgeons Act was created in 1966, and so legislative reform is vital to regulate the modern veterinary sector.
However, it also expresses concerns that, inadvertently, the CMA remedies could increase the total cost of pet care.
The CMA has suggested that veterinary professionals steer their clients to online pharmacies for their medicines, directing them towards potential ‘savings’. Online pharmacies are able to offer medicines at lower costs than veterinary practices as they have different responsibilities, different overheads, and different business models. In addition, veterinary practices traditionally use the income received from medicine sales to reduce the cost of providing veterinary services.
If independent practices lose income from the sale of medicines and other products, they may be forced to increase the fees of other services. In its support for discounted products and online pharmacies, FIVP fears that the CMA has not understood how this might impact hard-working veterinary practices and their teams.
Rita Dingwall, chair of FIVP, said: “We remain supportive of the CMA’s efforts to improve transparency in the veterinary sector and are gratified that it understands the importance that a new Veterinary Surgeons Act has for both practices and veterinary professionals.
“It is also reassuring to see the inquiry group recognising hard-working veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, and condemning the abuse they face from some pet owners.
“However, we are concerned that the CMA is advocating a completely new business structure for veterinary practices that has the potential of unintended consequences for independent veterinary practices, their clients and the care and welfare of pets.
“If independent practices are unable to support their veterinary services through the income received from veterinary medicines, pet owners could face higher service fees – or the closure of their local independent practice.”
FIVP will now seek to gather additional evidence from independent practices, as it formulates its response to the CMA’s provisional recommendations ahead of its deadline on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
