FOI release

FOI – Internal/external correspondence

Published 13 January 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vmd-foieir-requests-october-2025/foi-internalexternal-correspondence

ATI1135 Request

  1. All emails and attachments (including meeting minutes/notes/calendars) between VMD and pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer Ltd, Bayer plc, Zoetis UK, or subsidiaries) containing keywords “pricing”, “excessive cost”, “human equivalent”, “distribution restriction”, “veterinarian dispensing”, or “generic entry barrier”, sent/received 01/01/2020-31/12/2024. Limit to first 100 items if exceeding; provide metadata for all.

  2. Copies of all complaints/enquiries received by VMD on veterinary medicines pricing disparities (e.g., 3-4x human equivalents) or exclusionary practices (e.g., contracts barring vets from direct dispensing), including VMD responses/actions (or reasons for inaction), 01/01/2020-31/12/2024. Include metadata (submission date, complainant details redacted per s.40).

  3. Internal reports/analyses/audits held by VMD on VMR 2013 barriers to competition (e.g., authorisation processes favoring incumbents, impacts on generics entry, or economic harms to stakeholders), including any pricing data/comparisons with human medicines, 01/01/2020-31/12/2024.

  4. Correspondence (emails/minutes) between VMD and Defra/CMA on veterinary market studies/reviews addressing monopolistic practices, excessive pricing, or pay-for-delay agreements, containing keywords “monopoly”, “abuse dominance”, “CMA prioritisation”, 01/01/2020-31/12/2024. Limit to summaries/metadata if bulk.

Our reply

After careful consideration, we are writing to inform you that your request has been refused under Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This section allows public authorities to refuse requests that are deemed vexatious.

In reaching this decision, we have considered the cumulative burden placed on the authority by your recent pattern of requests. At present, we are actively processing two open FOI requests from you, and this latest submission continues a trend of frequent and overlapping enquiries that significantly disrupt our ability to manage resources effectively.

While we respect your right to request information, the volume and nature of these requests have created a disproportionate burden. This decision relates solely to the nature and impact of the request, not to you personally.

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