Vet drugs under scrutiny
Vet drugs under scrutiny
By Isabel Davies
COMPETITION watchdogs are to investigate the price of veterinary medicines abroad after hearing that drugs in the UK could cost a third more than in France or Holland.
The Competition Commission will commission market research to help them establish whether British farmers are being charged too much for animal medicines.
Information gathered will be fed into the commissions inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines (POMS).
At a public meeting on Fri, Apr 29, the commission was told there was a clear difference in prices between countries.
Mike Nelson, who described himself as an "investigative veterinary journalist", submitted evidence suggesting many products in France and Holland are 60-80% of the UK list price.
Mr Nelsons evidence was collected by comparing veterinary wholesalers list prices. This was on products containing the same active ingredient, in the same concentration, and in the same pack size.
Denise Kingsmill, deputy chairman of the Commission, said the research into prices in other countries would be used as an indicator only.
"We are really looking to see if [prices] are higher than they should be. Are there blocks in the supply chain?" she said.
Mrs Kingsmill said the commission had received more responses to the inquiry than any other in its history.
But despite this it was still very keen to hear from individual farmers.
"We havent received much evidence about issues affecting farmers. We would be very pleased to hear from farmers," she said.
Representatives of manufacturers, wholesalers, vets and farmers all attended the meeting to discuss whether changes to the regulatory system and the way vets charge for drugs would help reduce costs.
Despite an EU proposal that all veterinary medicines should be prescription-only, downgrading the status of some products so they could be sold more freely was also discussed.
The merits of making it easier for pharmacists to dispense was also considered.
Farmers wishing to contribute should write to the Reference Secretary, Veterinary Medicines), Competition Commission, New Court, 48 Carey Street, London, WC2A 2JT or email vetmedicines@competition-commission.org.uk *