Overcharged veterinary bills clamp down - WELL OVERDUE12 Mar 2024 09:39
The CMA has issued a report titled “CMA identifies multiple concerns in vets market”, and provisionally says it should launch a formal market investigation. Concerns are: inadequate info, weak competition due to sector consolidation, large corporates acting in ways that weaken competition, overcharging for medicines, outdated regulatory framework.
The CMA says it has powers to “intervene directly in markets” if action is required, which includes requiring disclosure of more info, max fees on prescriptions, and ordering disposal of assets/businesses. That last point could be a threat to market leaders, CVS and MediVet. The CMA does have teeth.