Competition Commission Recommendations - Council Decision

In a full debate on the implementation of the Competition Commission recommendations, Council has reaffirmed the view it had taken in October 2003, that it would be preferable to include some of the provisions in the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct rather than in legislation.

Council welcomed the fact that the RCVS had submitted a robust response to the DTI consultation paper and hoped that in future discussions with DTI the College would continue to express concern about the extent to which the proposed changes would have an adverse effect on animal health and welfare and be unlikely to deliver the stated aim of the Competition Commission (that is, to reduce the overall cost of veterinary services to animal owners).

Of particular concern were the 'zero prescription fee' and the proposal to display a price-list of the most commonly prescribed or supplied POMs in surgeries. It was acknowledged that the position of the RCVS could be undermined by being associated with changes that might be seen to be contrary to animal welfare and good sense.

Nevertheless it was noted that if the requirement to provide clients with information about POM prices and the availability of prescriptions were included in the Guide they would not also appear in legislation, and in that the Guide they could be expressed in less detailed and prescriptive terms.

The RCVS has never had any intention of implementing the zero prescription fee, even if it had the legal powers to do so. If government persists in wanting to impose this it will have to be in legislation.

The key point in convincing Council that implementation through the Guide was the best way forward was the view that if the RCVS declined to have anything to do with the proposals this would damage the College's credibility as a regulator and that legislation of the sort proposed by DTI would encroach on the self-regulation of the profession. This would represent a greater cost to the College than any expenses that might be involved in enforcement.

In conclusion, therefore, it was agreed that the RCVS should seek to persuade Ministers that implementation should be through the Guide and seek to ensure that the final text best serves the interests of patients and the animal-owning public.