How to get a written prescription from your UK vet
The CMA Order is legally binding by 23 September 2026. Every UK vet practice must offer a written prescription on request, with the fee capped at £21 for the first medicine plus £12.5 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. Remedies roll out over the following 3-12 months, with smaller veterinary businesses given an extra 3 months over the large corporate groups. This is the simplest way to save 50-70% on chronic dog medication.
The four-step process
- Ask your vet for a written prescription for the medication you want. You can do this in person, over the phone, or by email. The vet does not need to see your dog if they are already a patient on file for that condition.
- Pay the prescription fee. Capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.5 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. Some practices charge less for existing chronic prescriptions.
- Pick the cheapest VMD-approved online pharmacy. Use the calculator on the homepage. We only list pharmacies on the official VMD register.
- Upload or post the prescription to the online pharmacy. Most accept scans or photos. They will dispense and post the medication, usually within 2-3 working days.
Bundling tip. If you ask for two medicines on the same prescription it's £21 for the first plus £12.5 for the second, total £33.50 - cheaper than two separate prescriptions. Ask your practice to combine them where clinically appropriate.
Template email to your vet
Further reading
- When to ask for a written prescription — and when not to bother — the cost framework, the £12.50 bundling trick, what to do if your vet refuses.
- Vetmedin vs Cardisure — are they actually the same? — same active, same VMD route, the £400/year question.
- Apoquel side effects — what UK dog owners should actually watch for
What to do if your vet pushes back
A small number of practices may discourage written prescriptions. They have no legal basis to refuse. Politely reference the CMA Order (in force from 23 September 2026) and the RCVS Code of Conduct (which already requires reasonable accommodation of prescription requests). If they continue to refuse or charge above the cap once it is binding for them, you can complain to the RCVS at rcvs.org.uk/concerns, or to the CMA via gov.uk.
Frequently asked questions
- Can my vet refuse a written prescription?
- No - under the RCVS Code of Conduct and the CMA Order (legally binding by 23 September 2026), every UK vet must provide a written prescription on request. The fee is capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. Refusing would be a breach of professional standards.
- How long does a written prescription last?
- Most prescriptions are valid for 6 months, but the vet may set a shorter period for some medications. Always check the expiry date on the prescription.
- Will switching pharmacies upset my vet?
- Under the CMA Order, in force from 23 September 2026 for large corporate groups (and three months later for smaller practices), your vet is legally required to inform you that medication can often be bought more cheaply elsewhere. Asking for a written prescription is now a normal, expected request.
- What if my vet charges more than the cap?
- The CMA Order caps the fee at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine on the same prescription. If your vet charges more once the Order is binding for them, you can complain to the RCVS at rcvs.org.uk/concerns or to the CMA via gov.uk.
- Can I get more than one medicine on a single prescription?
- Yes. If you ask for two medicines on the same prescription it's £21 for the first plus £12.50 for the second, total £33.50. Ask your practice to bundle medicines onto a single prescription where clinically appropriate - that's the cheapest path.