Vet prescriptions and buying pet medicine online

Some pet medicines can be bought from your vet practice. In some cases, you may also be able to ask your vet for a written prescription and use it to buy medicine from another supplier, such as an online pharmacy.

This can sometimes save money, especially for repeat or long-term medication, but it is important to compare the full cost and use appropriate, authorised sources.

According to the CMA, many pet owners are not fully aware of written prescriptions or the option to compare medicine prices outside their vet practice. The CMA’s remedies include measures intended to increase awareness of online pharmacies, reduce barriers to buying online and cap certain written prescription fees. Wording, savings evidence and implementation dates are set out in the CMA findings report (Part A) (medicines chapter), the remedies report (Part B) (medicines market remedies) and Appendices I and N — see the official PDFs under Sources at the end of this page.

This guide explains how written prescriptions work, what costs to compare and what to ask your vet.

Source note: This guide is based on the CMA’s veterinary market investigation final decision report and supporting appendices. Vetfinder summarises the findings for pet owners and does not provide veterinary, legal or financial advice.

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What is a written vet prescription?

A written vet prescription is a prescription from your vet that can be used to buy a prescribed medicine from somewhere other than the vet practice.

That might include an online pharmacy or another registered supplier, where appropriate.

A written prescription does not mean you should choose or change medicine yourself. Your vet is still responsible for prescribing what is appropriate for your pet. If you are unsure about a medicine, dose, supplier or timing, ask your vet or pharmacist.

Safe wording:
In some cases, a written prescription may allow a pet owner to buy prescribed medicine from a third-party retailer rather than directly from their vet practice.

Source notes for implementation:

• CMA Final decision report Part A, section 11: veterinary medicines.
• CMA Final decision report Part B, section 5: medicines market opening remedies and prescription price control.
• CMA Appendix I: supporting evidence on veterinary medicines.
• CMA Appendix N: supporting evidence on prescription price controls.

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Why the CMA looked at pet medicine prices

The CMA looked at veterinary medicines because pet owners often buy medicines through their vet practice, and because written prescriptions can allow some medicines to be bought elsewhere.

The CMA found concerns around competition between first opinion practices and third-party retailers, including online pharmacies. It also considered whether pet owners had enough information about prescriptions, online pharmacy options and potential savings.

This does not mean your vet is wrong to sell medicine. Vet practices provide clinical advice, prescribing and dispensing services, and in many situations buying directly from the practice may be convenient or appropriate. The point is that pet owners should understand their options where a written prescription is suitable.

Safe source wording:
According to the CMA, better information about written prescriptions and online pharmacy options can help pet owners make more informed choices about veterinary medicines.

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When buying online may be worth comparing

Buying online may be worth comparing when:

• your pet needs ongoing or repeat medication;
• the medicine is commonly available through registered online suppliers;
• the online saving is larger than any prescription fee and delivery cost;
• you have enough time to order safely before the medicine is needed;
• your vet confirms a written prescription is appropriate.

It may be less practical when:

• your pet needs medicine urgently;
• the medicine needs to be started immediately;
• the online supplier does not stock the exact prescribed item;
• the total saving is small after fees and delivery;
• your vet advises that buying directly is more appropriate for your pet’s situation.

Do not delay urgent treatment in order to compare prices online. If timing matters, ask your vet what is safe and practical.

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Compare the full cost, not just the medicine price

The cheapest product price is not always the cheapest total cost.

When comparing your vet practice with an online pharmacy, check:

• medicine price;
• pack size;
• strength and form;
• quantity required;
• delivery cost;
• written prescription fee;
• whether more than one medicine is on the same prescription;
• whether the prescription can be repeated;
• how long the prescription is valid for;
• whether a follow-up appointment or check-up is needed.

A simple comparison is:

Vet practice total cost
versus
Online medicine price + prescription fee + delivery + any required follow-up costs

If the difference is small, convenience and timing may matter more. If your pet needs repeat medication, the savings may be more meaningful over time.

Illustrative percentage and annual savings ranges quoted elsewhere on Vetfinder (for example 50–60% cheaper online for commonly prescribed medicines, or £200–£300 per year for some owners) come from the CMA’s summary materials and Appendix I. If you are unsure about a figure, check the latest Part A and summary PDFs linked under Sources.

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Prescription fees: what to check

Vet practices may charge a fee for issuing a written prescription.

The CMA’s remedies include caps on certain written prescription fees: a cap for the first medicine prescribed within a consultation and a lower cap for additional medicines prescribed in the same consultation. Amounts, conditions and timing are in Part B and Appendix N — confirm the latest text under Sources.

When asking about a written prescription, ask:

• What is the written prescription fee?
• Is there a separate fee for each medicine?
• Are additional medicines charged differently?
• How long will the prescription last?
• Can the prescription be repeated?
• Will my pet need a check-up before the next prescription?
• Is the medicine needed urgently, or is there time to order online?

Keep the tone practical:

“Could you let me know the written prescription fee and whether this medicine is suitable to buy from a registered online pharmacy?”

Written prescription fee caps (CMA remedy)

Item	Cap
First medication prescribed within a consultation	£21
Each additional medication in the same consultation	£12.50
Paper prescription timing	By end of consultation
Digital prescription timing	Within 48 hours

Source: CMA remedies report (Part B). Caps and timelines are set in the remedies framework.

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Use registered or appropriate suppliers

If you are buying pet medicine online, use appropriate and authorised sources.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate maintains a register of online retailers for veterinary medicines. Vetfinder should link users to the official VMD register rather than recommending random retailers.

Do not buy prescription-only veterinary medicines from unverified websites or marketplaces. If you are unsure whether a supplier is appropriate, ask your vet or pharmacist.

Implementation note:
This section should include an external link to the official VMD Register of Online Retailers.

External source:
Veterinary Medicines Directorate Register of Online Retailers.

Register of authorised retailers for veterinary medicines (GOV.UK)

Official GOV.UK title: Register of authorised retailers for veterinary medicines (Animal and Plant Health Agency). Wording can change — use the page linked above and in Sources.

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Ask your vet before switching how you buy medicine

This page should not encourage users to change medicine, dose or supplier without professional input.

Use questions such as:

• Is a written prescription appropriate for this medicine?
• Is this medicine urgent, or can I order it online?
• What exact name, strength, form and pack size should I look for?
• Are there storage or handling requirements?
• Are there follow-up checks needed?
• What should I do if the online pharmacy has a question?
• What happens if the medicine is out of stock?

Your vet may recommend buying directly from the practice in some situations, especially where timing, monitoring, storage or clinical considerations matter.

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Common medicine terms explained

POM-V

POM-V means Prescription Only Medicine — Veterinarian. These medicines need to be prescribed by a vet.

Written prescription

A prescription that can be used to obtain medicine from another supplier, where appropriate.

Dispensing

Supplying the medicine to the pet owner. A practice may charge separate fees connected to prescribing, dispensing or administration. How such fees should appear in published price lists is part of the CMA’s standardised price-list remedy in Part B; clinical/professional rules are separate — see Sources and your vet’s estimate or bill.

Online pharmacy

A retailer that sells medicines online. For veterinary medicines, users should be directed to official sources such as the VMD register to check registered retailers.

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Quick prescription cost checklist

Before deciding where to buy a prescribed medicine, check:

• the exact medicine name;
• strength;
• form, such as tablet, capsule, liquid or spot-on;
• pack size;
• quantity needed;
• whether your pet needs it urgently;
• the vet practice medicine price;
• the written prescription fee;
• online pharmacy price;
• delivery cost;
• whether the online pharmacy is listed by the VMD;
• whether follow-up checks are needed;
• whether buying online is practical for this prescription.

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How Vetfinder can help

Vetfinder aims to make prescription and medicine costs easier to compare where reliable data is available.

Vetfinder may show:

• prescription fee information where available;
• medicine price comparison data;
• practice-level price notes;
• links to official sources;
• methodology notes;
• correction/reporting routes.

Medicine and prescription information can change. Always check important details with your vet, pharmacist or the relevant supplier before ordering.

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Sources and evidence notes

This page should include visible source notes based on:

• CMA Final decision report Part A, especially section 11 on veterinary medicines.
• CMA Final decision report Part B, especially section 5 on medicines market opening remedies and prescription price control.
• CMA Appendix I, supporting evidence on veterinary medicines, price comparisons and online pharmacies.
• CMA Appendix N, supporting evidence on prescription price controls.
• VMD Register of Online Retailers, as the official external source for online veterinary medicine retailer checks.
• RCVS guidance, where wording on prescription process or professional responsibilities needs official support.

Confirm fee caps, implementation dates and any new numerical claims against the current Part A, Part B, Appendix I, Appendix N and GOV.UK materials linked under Sources.