1st May 2025 15:37
(Alliance News) - The Competition & Markets Authority on Thursday published a working paper outlining potential remedies linked to its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The UK's competition watchdog said the remedies being considered included requiring vets to publish information on prices, treatment options, services, ownership and other basic information.
Greater transparency on medicine prices and alternatives, requirements for generic prescribing, and price controls on prescriptions and interim medicines are also being mulled the CMA said.
In addition, restrictions on out-of-hours contracts, price controls on cremations, and reform of the regulatory framework and operations are also being looked at.
The CMA said it is considering the possible benefits and risks of implementing a short-term, temporary 'stabilising' freeze or cap on medicine prices while the competition benefits of the broader package of measures come into effect.
"If a package containing some or all of these remedies were put into place, we expect that it would empower consumers with greater understanding of the treatment and other options open to them and the different vet practices that could provide these services," the CMA added.
The CMA said it is aware some of the remedies could place burdens on vet businesses and are conscious of the need that all remedies are proportionate to any harms.
The consultation is open until May 27.
In response, shares in the Cheshire, England-based pet care firm Pets at Home Group PLC rose 3.0% at 243.60 pence each in London on Thursday.
"This feels like not much more than a holding statement on the way to a fairly benign outcome, and we have believed for a while that it is unlikely the CMA will impose anything on the sector that could materially impact vets' profitability," said broker Peel Hunt.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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