'A pivotal moment': Save cash by shopping around for pet medicines

PET owners are being encouraged to invest time in sourcing cheaper medicines following a groundbreaking report into the veterinary sector.

Petscribers, a price comparison and prescription platform, says people could save hundreds of pounds a year by changing the way they make pharmaceutical purchases.

Last month, the Competition and Markets Authority report announced sweeping reforms aimed at improving transparency and reducing the cost of pet medicines.

The regulator’s findings highlight that while these products are often available from regulated online pharmacies at lower prices, many owners continue to buy directly from their vet.

The CMA’s final report introduces mandatory changes designed to increase competition and give pet owners greater choice and control, including:

• Vets must inform owners that they can request a written prescription and that medicines may be cheaper online

• Paper prescriptions must be provided at the end of a consultation or digital versions within 48 hours 

• Prescription fees are capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional medicines

• Greater transparency on own-brand medicines and equivalent alternatives

• Improved access to price comparison tools and approved online pharmacies.

Dr Angela Jones, vet and co-founder of Petscribers, said: "These changes mark a pivotal moment for the veterinary sector.

"Pet owners are being given more choice and transparency than ever before, but without the right infrastructure, the system risks becoming more complex rather than more accessible.

"We’ve seen how costs impact families. The reality is that the same medication can often be purchased much more cost effectively online, but the process has historically been difficult, slow and unclear.”

Research shows that while more than 60% of UK households own a pet, rising veterinary costs have become a growing concern. More than half of owners worry about affordability, with cost now the leading barrier to accessing care.

Petscribers says people can save as much as 70% by purchasing medication online, which the CMA says equates to average annual savings of £200–£300.

Despite this, a recent vet users survey by Accent found that 38% of owners are still unaware this option is available to them, 50% find it inconvenient, and 31% find it too slow a process to be worth pursuing.

The Petscribers platform enables pet owners to compare prices across government-approved pharmacies, ensuring medicines are safe, authentic and cost-effective.

At the same time, its digital E-prescribing tools are designed to streamline the process for vets, reducing administrative burden and enabling faster, more secure prescription handling.

Dr Jones said: "Petscribers makes it easier for vets to prescribe, easier for owners to purchase, and easier for pharmacies to fulfil prescriptions.

"Ultimately, this is about reducing costs without compromising care."