British vets to charge for prescriptions

British veterinarians will be able to start charging clients for prescriptions from October 31.

The date marks the end of a three-year ban on veterinary prescription fees, introduced by the former Department of Trade and Industry after a Competition Commission inquiry. The “Supply of Relevant Veterinary Medicinal Products Order” aimed to benefit animal owners by providing competition in the supply of prescription-only veterinary drugs by other parties such as pharmacies.

Britain's Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) says that from October 31, veterinary surgeons “may make a reasonable charge for written prescriptions.” However, they must not charge different prices or fees to those who take a prescription and those who do not.

During the three-year period of no prescription charges, vets were told that the costs incurred in providing a prescription could be recovered in the consultation fee or other fees. “Thus, fees may be charged for advising on the choice of medicine, how to administer it, what side-effects to look out for etc, but such a fee must be charged to all clients.”