Pet medication savings UK
If your pet is on long-term medication, requesting a written prescription and buying online could save you £200 or more a year. Under the CMA's 2026 reforms, your vet must now tell you this option exists — and prescription fees are capped at £21.
CompareMyVet lists practices with their prescription policies where published, alongside prices, ownership and ratings.
A written prescription is a document signed by your vet that allows you to buy a specific medicine from any licensed supplier — including online pharmacies like VetUK, Pet Drugs Online, VioVet, Animed Direct, and Hyperdrug. Instead of paying your practice's dispensing margin (often 50–100% above wholesale), you pay the prescription fee to your vet and then buy the medicine elsewhere at retail price.
This is particularly valuable for pets on long-term medication — arthritis drugs, thyroid tablets, heart medications, insulin, flea and worming treatments, and so on. A one-off fee can unlock significant ongoing savings.
New from 2026: Under the CMA's legally binding reforms, vets must now proactively tell you that a written prescription is available — you no longer need to know to ask. This is part of the most significant overhaul of UK veterinary consumer rights in a generation.
The saving depends on the medicine, the dose, and how long your pet needs it. For common long-term medications, the difference between vet-dispensed and online-pharmacy prices is often substantial:
Long-term NSAIDs like meloxicam or carprofen. A medium dog on daily medication can save £200–£400 a year buying online with a written prescription.
Methimazole for hyperthyroid cats is needed lifelong. Online pharmacies typically charge 40–60% less — savings often exceed £150 a year.
Pimobendan and diuretics for dogs with heart disease. Annual savings commonly run to £300+ on multi-drug regimens.
Monthly spot-ons and chews like NexGard, Bravecto or Seresto. Year-round cover costs significantly less with online pharmacies — often £80–£150 less than in-practice prices.
You can do this at the appointment, by phone, or in writing. Since March 2026 your vet is required to tell you this option exists — but it's still worth asking directly. There's no need to justify the request.
The fee is legally capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. Before April 2026 some practices were charging £40 or more — that's no longer permitted.
UK-licensed pet pharmacies include Vet-Medic, VetUK, Pet Drugs Online, VioVet, Animed Direct, and Hyperdrug. All are regulated by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Compare prices between them — they can vary by 20% on the same product.
Most online pharmacies accept photographs or scans of the prescription uploaded at checkout. Some still require the original by post — check before ordering. Most UK orders arrive in 2–3 working days.
Prescriptions are typically valid for 6 months. Set a reminder to request a repeat before running out — your vet may require a check-up appointment before re-prescribing, particularly for controlled or monitored medications.
Written prescriptions don't make sense for every situation. Times when it's generally not worth requesting one:
A 5-day course of antibiotics. The £21 fee likely matches or exceeds the markup, and you'll need the medicine urgently.
Anything needed the same day. Online delivery takes 2–3 working days — unsuitable for acute situations.
If the medicine itself costs £10 a month, the £21 prescription fee wipes out the saving.
Some custom-compounded medications are only available through the prescribing practice. Ask before requesting a prescription.
The Competition and Markets Authority concluded in March 2026 that UK pet owners had been paying more than they should for medication, partly because vets dispensed their own prescriptions and rarely disclosed cheaper alternatives. The resulting reforms give you clear rights:
• Right to be told — Your vet must proactively tell you a written prescription is available before dispensing long-term medication.
• Capped fees — The prescription fee is legally capped at £21 for the first medicine, £12.50 for additional items on the same prescription.
• No delay tactics — Practices cannot unreasonably delay issuing a prescription once requested.
• No penalty — Your practice cannot refuse to continue treating your pet because you asked for a written prescription.
When you're comparing vet practices on CompareMyVet, you'll see published prescription policies and fees where practices list them — alongside consultation prices, ownership, services, and ratings. That lets you choose a practice that's transparent about prescriptions from the start.
Already have a prescription from your current vet? Use app.comparemyvet.uk to find online pharmacies and compare prices. If you're thinking of switching practices, browse vets in your area and compare published prescription policies side by side.