Vet costs
Under the 2026 CMA reforms, UK pet owners can request a written prescription at any visit. Here's how to ask, what it costs, and how much you can save on long-term medications.
If your dog is on long-term medication — Apoquel for itching, Librela for joint pain, Trazodone for anxiety, joint supplements, heart medication, anti-seizure drugs — you are very likely paying more than you need to.
The good news: as of 2026, UK rules give you the legal right to ask for a written prescription and fill it at any veterinary pharmacy. The savings are typically 30–60% off the price your vet charges in-practice. For a dog on Librela, that's about £252 a year. For an Apoquel dog, it's £200 or more. Most owners just don't know they can ask.
This guide walks you through exactly how to ask, what to expect, and how to use the prescription once you have it.
Until 2026, the UK veterinary pharmacy market was opaque. Practices weren't required to tell you that the same medication was available far cheaper online. Many didn't. The Competition and Markets Authority's two-year investigation into the sector concluded in March 2026 with a set of reforms specifically designed to fix this.
The new rules give pet owners three things:
This is genuinely new. It also feels uncomfortable for some owners — there's a worry that asking might damage the vet relationship. In practice, vets are now legally required to comply, and most reasonable practices will not bat an eye.
At your next appointment, or by phone before a repeat prescription is due, say something like:
"Can I have a written prescription for [drug name] this time? I'd like to fill it online to save some money."
That's it. You don't need to justify yourself or explain further. The practice is required to:
If you feel uncomfortable saying it in person, ask by email or via the practice's messaging system. Most multi-vet practices have a dedicated email for prescription requests.
A written prescription is usually a single A4 page (sometimes a smaller slip) with:
You can collect this in person, ask them to post it, or in many cases have it scanned and emailed (online pharmacies generally accept clear scans or photos).
The biggest UK online pet pharmacies — all RCVS-registered:
Most accept either a posted prescription, a scanned/emailed copy (with the original to follow), or an EU/UK e-prescription if your practice can issue one.
It's worth shopping across two or three when you get a new prescription — for some drugs there's a £20+ difference between the cheapest and most expensive UK pharmacy.
Across the medications we see most often in senior dogs:
| Medication | Typical in-practice cost | Typical online cost | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apoquel (16mg, daily) | £85/month | £45/month | £480 |
| Librela (monthly injection, large dog) | £82 | £61 | £252 |
| Galliprant | £58/month | £39/month | £228 |
| Trazodone (50mg, prn) | £42/month | £18/month | £288 |
| Glucosamine + chondroitin (premium brand) | £14/month | £9/month | £60 |
These are typical, not guaranteed — pricing varies by practice and pharmacy. You can usually check the online price in 30 seconds before you ask for the prescription, so you know whether it's worth it.
"The prescription was £16 at the time. The Apoquel was £40 cheaper for three months. I should have done this two years ago." — UK owner of an 8-year-old Cocker Spaniel.
A common worry is that asking for a written prescription will damage the practice relationship. Speaking to UK vets ourselves, the honest picture:
If you ever feel pressured, you're within your rights to escalate to the practice's RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon in charge.
Controlled drugs (Schedule 2 and 3). Some sedatives and pain medications (like methadone or pentobarbitone) are controlled. Written prescriptions for these have stricter rules and may require collection from a specific dispensary. Your vet will tell you if this applies.
New diagnoses. For brand new prescriptions, your vet must have examined the dog "recently enough" — usually within the last 12 months — to legally prescribe. For ongoing repeat medications, this rule is more flexible.
Repeat prescriptions. For dogs on long-term medication (Apoquel, Librela, anti-seizure, heart drugs), most practices issue 6-month or annual repeat prescriptions. Ask whether they can write it for the full repeat period rather than monthly — that lets you buy 6 months' supply in one go online, saving on delivery charges and pharmacy markup.
Insurance. If your dog is insured, fed-back online pharmacy purchases are normally claimable as long as the prescription is properly issued. Most insurers accept the invoice from the online pharmacy directly.
Can my vet refuse to give me a written prescription?
For most non-controlled drugs, no. Under the 2026 CMA reforms, providing a written prescription on request is a legal requirement, not a courtesy. The only common refusal grounds are if the dog hasn't been seen recently enough (for brand new diagnoses) or if it's a controlled drug with stricter rules.
How much will the prescription itself cost?
Capped at £21 for the first item, £12.50 for each additional item in the same consultation. Some practices charge less.
How long is the prescription valid?
Usually 6 months for non-controlled drugs, but can be longer if your vet writes it as a repeat. Your prescription will state its validity.
Will the online pharmacy let me buy in bulk?
Yes — most allow you to order up to the quantity authorised on the prescription. For long-term medications, buying 3 or 6 months' supply at a time usually means free delivery and better pricing per unit.
What if I move vets?
Your old practice is still legally required to fulfil a written prescription request as long as your dog was seen within the standard window. Many people request their final prescription before switching practices.
Superkin is a household app for UK dog owners. One of the things it does is flag — automatically, every Sunday — when your dog's medication could be cheaper elsewhere, and how to ask for the written prescription. The Money Tab in each weekly plan tells the team exactly what you're paying, what the alternative is, and what one-tap action will get you the saving.
If you want to stop overpaying without doing the maths yourself, join the waitlist.
Related guides:
Last updated 18 May 2026. This guide is for general information only. Always speak to your vet about specific medication decisions.
The CMA's 2026 reforms to UK vet services in plain English: capped prescription fees, the right to written prescriptions, published price lists, and what it all means for what you'll actually pay this year.
What Apoquel actually costs in the UK in 2026, where to get it cheapest with a written prescription, and how to use the new CMA rules to save up to 60% per month.
First version lands on the App Store and Google Play this summer.