My beloved dog recently suffered from a skin issue, and the vet prescribed a 3-week course of antibiotics. Much to my shock, the cost of the medication was exorbitant—35 tablets at £5.25 each, plus VAT. Meanwhile, the same drug for humans costs less than £2.50 for 21 tablets. This staggering price difference is not only unjustifiable, but it's also a slap in the face to pet owners who want to do the best for their animals but find themselves facing insurmountable financial barriers.

This petition appeals for a change in the current law that restricts veterinary surgeons from prescribing human medication when there is an equivalent animal version available. Currently, under the cascade system, human drugs can only be prescribed when no veterinary version exists. This exception should be extended to all human medications as a more economically viable option for pet owners.

Drug companies producing veterinary medications should be held accountable and required to justify the production costs attributed to pet medications. This transparency could lead to more affordable prices, alleviating the financial burden on countless families.

Veterinary care should be accessible and affordable for all pet owners. High medication costs should not stand between our pets and proper healthcare. We need transparency, affordability, and a fair deal for pet owners facing urgent care needs.

Join me in calling on policymakers and regulators to revisit and revise these unfair restrictions. Let’s push for laws that allow veterinary professionals the option to prescribe the most affordable and effective medications for pets, regardless of whether these are human or veterinary pharmaceuticals.

Sign this petition for a fairer, more reasonable approach to veterinary medicine pricing, and help ease the financial strain on pet-loving families across the UK.