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CMA Insight: Veterinary Expert Says Digital Innovation Missing From CMA’s Vet Sector Reforms
2 months ago 
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Today’s CMA report on the veterinary sector sets out 21 measures to improve competition and transparency, but one major area has been left out: digital care.
Sam Webster, Chief Veterinary Officer at Vet-AI, has welcomed the review’s focus on transparency but says the reforms fail to recognise how technology could make vet care more accessible and affordable for pet owners.
Sam Webster, Chief Veterinary Officer, Vet-AI
“We welcome the CMA’s review into the veterinary sector, which is both timely and necessary. Greater transparency across pricing and ownership structures will help pet owners make more informed choices about their vet.
“However, it is disappointing that the report does not address digital care or consider how technology can improve access to veterinary services. Recognising digital pathways as part of regulated veterinary care would ensure that innovation is encouraged rather than restricted.
“While the proposed reforms may improve visibility, they do little to increase accessibility or affordability. True competition will only be unlocked when access to veterinary care is no longer limited to those who own physical premises. Only by enabling alternative, tech-enabled models of delivery can the sector genuinely broaden choice and lower costs for pet owners.
“Digital innovation, supported by qualified vets, has a vital role to play in expanding access, reducing costs, and ensuring pets receive timely, safe and expert care. For example, AI-powered triage tools can help owners understand whether their pet needs an in-person visit, preventing unnecessary trips and costs, as well as reducing insurance claims which in turn can reduce premiums. Remote video consultations not only help owners in rural areas, but support those with nervous animals, financial or time constraints, mobility challenges, or uncertainty about whether a vet visit is really needed, while offering quick reassurance when it isn’t.
“Technology is the key to a fairer, more sustainable model of pet care - one that meets the needs of both owners and clinicians.”
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