“I can get that medication for $15 on the internet,” Mr. F announces. “Why are you charging me $32?”
I sigh, knowing that this is going to be another long conversation that will fall on deaf ears. “Mr. F,” I reply, “I can not purchase the product direct from the manufacture for $15, so if you are purchasing it for that, the medication is expired, repackaged or not real.”
“Humph,” Mr. F answers. “I think you are just trying to swindle me!”
I shake my head. “While it is true that we are a company that needs to make a profit to stay in business and some of that profit comes from selling products, my main goal is to make your pet well by diagnosing and treating your pets ailments. If I fail in that, I will lose you as a client and subsequently, any profits. But online pharmacies do not have that goal.
They have no interest in diagnosing your pet, and have no vested interest in whether the medication works for you or not. This is a substantial difference between such pharmacies and me, your veterinarian.”
There are some reputable online pharmacies, and some of these pharmacies, just like Wal-Mart, can purchase in bulk and thus sell to consumers at a lower price. However, buyers beware! There are many pharmacies that reduce costs by selling counterfeit medications, expired medications that are subsequently repackaged, or medications from questionable sources. A quick search on the internet will reveal countless lawsuits that show products sold as medications online were either incorrect dosages, different active ingredients, or were even tap water.
(Counterfeit Frontline and Advantage, Texas vs Online Pharmacies http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=37514 ,Florida vs Online Pharmacies, and more)
Dr. Saria
A constant rejoinder I hear is that the medications look the same, thus they must be the same. Unfortunately, in this day of high-tech copiers and graphic designers, it is easy to make a box or bottle label look like an original. The average consumer is not savvy enough to decipher counterfeit from real until the product fails. Then, who do you think the client thinks is to blame? They do not point the finger at the online pharmacy, but at the veterinarian that prescribed the medication, believing that the diagnosis or treatment plan was faulty.
I personally have seen numerous hypothyroid cases deteriorate rapidly on online thyroid supplements, and I witnessed a cat nearly die at my clinic whose owner decided to save $20 by inadvertently purchasing the wrong insulin through other sources. I personally was faced with the dilemma of purchasing vaccines from on online vendor at a substantially reduced cost. When I called my distributor to see if they could match the price, she informed me that the supplier doesn’t even sell the vaccines to them at the price I found, thus it was impossible for the vaccines to be legitimate. I decided not to risk my patients’ health to save a buck, and purchased my supplies from the normal distributor despite the higher price.
There are a few things you can look for to decipher if your online pharmacy is more legitimate than others.
The pharmacy has a licensed veterinarian or pharmacist on staff.
The pharmacy is licensed to sell medication in your state.
The pharmacy can prove where the medication was purchased.
The medication was purchased directly from the manufacturer.
If the medication is not sold from the manufacturer, then it is not guaranteed.
Some online pharmacies will state that they guarantee the product, but if you read the fine print, they only will reimburse you for the cost of the medication, not the subsequent illness or harm it causes to your pet as a consequence of using an ineffective or harmful substance. Using heartworm preventatives as an example, if you purchase the product from a veterinarian or a distributor that deals directly from the manufacture, then should your pet get infected with heartworm disease, the high cost of treatment is covered by the company. However, many online pharmacies will only reimburse you for the cost of the product, leaving the $1000-$2000 treatment costs to you.
Many of the popular online veterinary pharmacies sell products that come from out of the country, which are then prepackaged to look like the products you are familiar with. These medications are not USDA approved and have not been tested. While I completely understand the desire to save money, I caution consumers to remember the advice, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
So if you are faced with a high cost of medications and would like to get the best price but also the best quality, I encourage you to be open with your vet or take the time to research whether the pharmacy is Vet-VIPPS(CM) accredited through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®.
If you can produce a print out from a legitimate pharmacy listing the cost of the medication, plus shipping and added fees, perhaps your veterinarian can match the price. Sometimes we honestly cannot, and in those cases, I would caution the buyer to be wary of the product sold at such an unreasonably low price.
Also consider the time and convenience required for the medication. Some medications are chronic, and ordering them online can be a savings and a convenience to everyone, especially if the side effects of the medication are mild and you are treating a non-life threatening issue. At times, ear medications and flea and tick preventatives can fall into this category, although be prepared for medication failure and tell your veterinarian where you purchased the product if the treatment doesn’t seem to work. Medications such as NSAIDS, congestive heart medication, endocrine products, antibiotics and eye medications are serious meds, and the source of purchase should be as important as the choice of medication. However, in more acute situations, your veterinarian stocks medications for you so that they can be started immediately and your vet can go over administration, cautions and instructions in person. This service carries an intangible price tag.
In summary, although I personally understand the desire to save money in this hard economy, be aware that trading quality for price can be devastating for your pet, causing untold future pain and costs to you and your beloved companion. Be aware of your choices, understand the risks and benefits, and make a wise decision before you purchase medications online.
EPA’s counterfeit pet medications site http://www.epa.gov/pesticides//factsheets/petproduct.htm
FDA consumer beware
Info for you and your pet(s):
CtMobileVet: On-Line Pharmacies May Not Be Selling Valid Pet Medication
By Dr. Rebecca Saria DVM
