Pets at Home welcomes CMA investigation into vet sector
Pets at Home has welcomed the Competition & Markets Authority’s decision to push ahead with a full market investigation into the veterinary sector.
Yesterday, the CMA announced that its concerns over practices remain the same as outlined in March. It said examples of potential remedies could include mandating the provision of certain information to consumers, imposing maximum prescription fees, and ordering the sale or disposal of a business or assets.
An inquiry group comprising independent experts and chair Martin Coleman will be overseeing the investigation.
In response, a Pets at Home spokesperson said: “We note today’s announcement by the CMA to open a market investigation into the veterinary sector.
“We will continue to fully cooperate with the CMA to ensure our unique and pro-competitive business model of locally-owned vet practices is fully understood.
“Whilst our brand is national, our veterinary practices are led by individual entrepreneurial vets who have clinical and operational freedom and work tirelessly to always put pets needs first.
“We also hope that this investigation will provide an opportunity to shine a greater light on the incredible work provided by clinical and practice teams across the country and open up a conversation about much needed change and reform within the veterinary profession.”
