The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) is urging independent practices to challenge the wording on a mandatory poster.
The mandatory poster has been published for review as part of the Competition and Markets Authority’s public consultation into the vets market.
Under the proposals, vets would be required to display the poster, which suggests to clients that their pet’s medicines may be “significantly cheaper online”.
Pet owners are advised to “compare prices online and at other retailers” to find out about “savings” that might be made.
FIVP said while it supports improved transparency for veterinary clients, it considers the poster be “poorly phrased, potentially inflammatory, and generally damaging to the viability of independent practices.”
The Federation argues that the poster does not address the risks or the administrative process of using an online pharmacy, or the impact on in-house pharmacies, which will have to reduce stock to prevent wastage and potentially increase service costs to balance the loss of sales.
FIVP said the CMA had failed to explain why independent practices may utilise medicine sales to cross-subsidise treatment prices and cover essential business costs.
FIVP is requesting a redraft of the poster to explain the advantages and limitations of online pharmacies and avoid language that could be interpreted as suggesting veterinary practices routinely overcharge.
Rita Dingwall, FIVP chair, said: “Independent practices support transparency and informed choice, but information provided to pet owners must be fair, balanced and evidence based. The current wording risks damaging confidence in trusted local veterinary practices without explaining the wider context.
“Transparency should help clients make informed decisions, not encourage them to question the integrity of their veterinary team.”