RCVS clarifies newspaper assertions over insurance fraud

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has defended the animal health sector from media accusations that industry professionals have been complicit in insurance fraud cases.

Dr Jerry Davies, president of the RCVS, has written to the Daily Mail to clarify issues that were raised in a recent article highlighting the practice of pet owners intentionally harming animals to make insurance claims.

He refuted suggestions that vets are participating in this fraud by artificially inflating bills, stating that while there have been isolated cases of this occurring, it is far from a widespread problem.

Dr Davies also debunked insinuations that vets are charging for expensive medicines while using cheaper alternatives, noting that the Veterinary Medicines Directorate prevents animal health professionals from choosing the cheapest drug available.

"If any member of the public has information about individual veterinary surgeons … being involved in alleged insurance fraud, we would be keen to look into it," he added.

This comes after Dr Davies sent a similar letter to address many of the same misconceptions that appeared in a recent Guardian article.