CMA Investigation: BSAVA Responds to CMA’s potential Remedies
1 May 2025
The BSAVA welcomes the opportunity to respond in full to the CMA’s working paper that it published today (1st May) and which outlines potential Remedies linked to the CMA’s ongoing market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. The purpose of the working paper is to consult with vet businesses, veterinary professionals and other interested parties on the likely impact of the Remedies the CMA is considering.
The Remedies working paper sets out CMA’s current thinking on the potential package of remedies which may be needed if they were to find competition concerns that they would need to address. They have not at this stage reached conclusions on whether remedies would ultimately be needed or if they are needed, what form they should take.
BSAVA is pleased to see that the CMA has again reiterated the extensive dedication shown by vets and vet nurses to their profession and the animals under their care, with most pet owners agreeing that their vet focused on the highest standard of care for their pet’s health. However, the CMA has noted that there is more unease about the commercial relationship, including pricing, between veterinary businesses and pet owners.
The CMA is considering a set of remedies which include, greater transparency for pet owners around costs and choice of treatment and also, ways of helping them reduce the costs of their medicines. They are keen to see improvements in regulations governing our sector, with a particular focus on veterinary businesses, veterinary nurses and consumers.
If the CMA think it appropriate to introduce any remedies, they are keen to ensure that they do not have unintended consequences and that they do not undermine the trust between pet owners and individual vets. The CMA is also keen to ensure that vets’ clinical freedom to provide a choice of treatments suited to the pet owner and their pet’s requirements is not compromised.
In their working papers the CMA has acknowledged some of the positive outcomes already achieved during the period of their Review and Market Investigation as a result of action having been taken by veterinary organisations and veterinary professionals. As part of this, BSAVA has produced resources for our profession, including those on contextualised care which address the management of veterinary cases on a budget across a variety of clinical scenarios and conditions. We have also produced a short ‘explainer’ to support practice staff explain some of the components covered by veterinary fees, along with some practical suggestions to help clients manage the financial aspects of veterinary care for their pet. To see BSAVA assets intended to manage Veterinary medicine on a budget Access the PDF here. and to see the BSAVA explainer on Veterinary Costs Access the PDF here.
BSAVA, along with other veterinary associations, has been actively involved in responding to previous CMA consultations. As part of our response to previous working papers, we asked that any proposed remedies were carefully considered and introduced in a way that allows businesses to adapt, as well as avoiding any unintended consequences. Overall, we recognised the need for change and were keen to play our part in supporting a well-functioning market. BSAVA is pleased that the CMA’s working paper reflects many of these points.
For this CMA consultation, BSAVA will give the CMA’s potential Remedies consideration and collaborate with other veterinary associations to respond to the consultation such that our voice is heard and that we influence outcomes of benefit to our profession, clients and animal welfare.
Further information on the CMA working paper and related Annexes can be accessed as follows: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/vets-market-investigation-remedies-working-paper
The consultation closes at 5pm Tuesday 27th May and we would encourage members of our profession to respond.
For further information please see previous BSAVA news articles here.