Stealth tax re-introduced by Labour: Pet owners hit by return of £15 charge on prescriptions

Thousands of pet owners face having to pay more to treat their sick animals after vet prescription fees were reintroduced yesterday.

It means a bill of around £15 on top of the average £30 consultation fee for 120,000 owners who opt to buy drugs from cheaper online pharmacies rather than their vet.

There are fears the higher cost will leave some owners unable to afford treatment. For the past three years those who wish to buy medicines from pharmacies have been able to obtain a prescription from their vet at no cost due to a Government ban on fees.

The prescription allows them to order the drugs - often at a lower price than at the vet’s - although they still have to pay for the medicines.

The ban was introduced in 2005 after Ministers accused vets of having a ‘stranglehold’ on the medicines market and the Competition Commission found consumers were getting a poor deal.
However, surgeries can once again start charging as ministers have decided that the market is now competitive enough .

What comrade James Gordon Brown gives, comrade Brown takes away.

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