The UK government has published a white paper proposing significant reforms to the veterinary sector, including a possible £21 cap on the price of pet prescriptions. The plans aim to tackle high bills and weak competition in a market increasingly dominated by a handful of large, mostly private equity-owned chains. The reforms matter because pet owners have faced rising costs and limited choice, with the current legal framework largely unchanged since the Veterinary Surgeons Act of the 1960s.

Alongside the prescription cap, ministers are considering a mandatory licensing system for practices — similar to GP surgeries and care homes — an independent regulator with inspection powers, published compliance reports, mandatory price lists, and greater transparency over ownership. The Competition and Markets Authority, which found public satisfaction with costs to be "low" and competition weak, has backed the proposals. More than 60% of practices are now owned wholly or partly by six major groups, and UK pet owners spent over £6.7bn on veterinary services in 2024, averaging £390 per pet-owning household. Environment secretary Emma Reynolds said the changes would help owners avoid unexpected bills and compare prices more easily.