Tools

Written estimate & prescription helper

Tick through what to ask for before higher-cost treatment, and understand written prescription fee context — useful even when we have no local clinic prices yet.

Practical checklist for pet owners — not legal advice. For official CMA wording see the what is changing hub.

Typical written prescription fee

national guide

£8–£35

Published clinic fees where available; otherwise this national band still works with no local sample. CMA caps set an upper context for written prescription charges — confirm current rules with your practice.

Compare prescription fees

Before higher-cost treatment

Recommended pathway in writingAsk for the planned investigations or treatment steps in writing when costs may rise — not just a verbal total.
VAT includedConfirm whether quoted figures include VAT so you can compare like-for-like with published price lists.
What is includedCheck whether anaesthesia, hospitalisation, meds, follow-up checks, or imaging are inside the figure or extra.
Higher-cost pathwaysUnder CMA remedies, a written estimate is required where a recommended pathway is reasonably likely to meet or exceed the monetary threshold (initially £500 including VAT). Ask early if you are unsure.
Updates if costs riseAsk the practice to update you in writing if costs are likely to rise materially (CMA rules reference a 20% rise or the monetary threshold, whichever is lower).
Itemised bill afterwardsRequest an itemised bill so you can see consult, procedures, and medicines separately — useful if you later compare or claim on insurance.

Written prescriptions

Written prescription is availableYou can ask for a written prescription and buy medicines elsewhere when clinically appropriate. Practices should tell you this option exists.
Know the fee-cap contextThe CMA Order sets initial written prescription fee caps of £21.40 for the first medicine and £12.70 for each additional medicine (VAT-inclusive), with later CPI adjustment. Confirm the current figure with your practice.
Compare medicine pricesA prescription fee can still be worthwhile if the medicine is cheaper from a pharmacy. Factor both the fee and the product cost.

Use with other tools

Quote checker — see if a figure sits inside a typical guide range
CMA for pet owners — plain-English remedy overview
Share a price — help others see real fees