FIVP urges members to seize CMA review opportunities

A veterinary business group has urged its members to embrace the opportunities it believes are offered by the current review of companion animal services.

The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has set out eight key areas where it hopes the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) work can lead to change.

The process has been criticised by several prominent bodies and care providers in recent weeks, amid fears over how the sector has been portrayed.

But FIVP has now defended the regulator, arguing its work will play “a significant role in ensuring fair competition and consumer protection within the industry”.

It added: “Embracing the insights and recommendations of the CMA’s review can help independent veterinary practices navigate the evolving landscape of the sector, foster healthy competition, and ultimately contribute to the well-being of animals and pet owners.”

Key areas

The federation said it hopes the process will herald improvements in areas including:

• Clearer identification of practice ownership
• Clearer transparency on price levels
• Greater transparency requirements for pricing of subsequent procedures
• Clarity over ownership of and referral to associated businesses
• Reviewing prescription fees
• Greater clarification for all stakeholders between the act of prescribing and writing a prescription
• Improved client communication, including an annual letter to clients to remind to consider who provides their first opinion services
• Targeted structural changes in identified geographical areas where there is more than 30% ownership by a single corporate group

The federation’s comments follow the end of the consultation process on the CMA’s proposal to initiate a formal market investigation into companion animal services.

Although it is widely expected that the process will continue, the CMA maintains a final decision has still to be taken.