Hi just thought I would pass on some information about purchasing pet meds from online pharmacies.
Online pharmacies are often able to sell products for lower prices because they buy medications in bulk, so therefore they can sometimes sell a product for a lower price than even a veterinarian can purchase it. There are some reputable pharmacies, but there are also some that are not credible.
Many people are not aware that there are some online pharmacies that are breaking Federal, state, and sometimes International laws. These pharmacies may sell medications that are expired, mislabeled, counterfeit, improperly stored, incorrectly formulated, may contain contaminants or may not contain the actual drug. It is also illegal for pharmacies from other countries to sell medications in the US because the medications are not USDA approved. The FDA has put out information on pet pharmacies to help pet owners protect themselves and their animals, and uses the acronym A.W.A.R.E. This stands for A – ask your vet, W – watch for red flags, A – always ask for site accreditation, R – report problems and suspicious pharmacies, and E – educate yourself about online pharmacies.
There are many “red flags” to look for when you are buying from an online pharmacy.
- The site does not require a veterinary prescription. Not only is this illegal but it is putting your pet at risk. Vets prescribe medication based on their assessment of your animal’s health and specific problem, and many medications are harmful if not used appropriately. Most medications also require that an animal be examined on a regular basis to make sure it is on the proper dose and not having any negative effects; for example, rimadyl which is an anti-inflammatory for dogs has the potential to cause liver and kidney damage with long term use.
- The site does not protect personal information which increases risk of identity theft
- The site’s prices are dramatically lower than your vet’s or other websites’ prices, if it is too good to be true it probably is
Some things to look for to make sure a pharmacy is legitimate are that there is a licensed veterinarian or pharmacist on staff to answer questions, the site is based in the United States, the site is licensed in your state, the site can prove where the medications are purchased. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NAPB) created a voluntary accreditation program called Vet – VIPPS (Veterinary – Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) which lists those online pharmacies that follow their strict quality assurance guidelines.
It is always worth talking to your vet first before buying from an online pharmacy. Something that many pet owners don’t realize is that often their veterinarian’s price for a medication is comparable to the price from an online pharmacy and can be shipped to an owner as well. Many vet practices are also setting up their own online pharmacies for clients to purchase medications, and the quality and handling of the medication is guaranteed. Some of the benefits from buying the medication from your vet are: if your pet has an adverse reaction or the medication is ineffective your veterinarian will know what medication your animal is on and what is the best treatment, and many times, drug manufacturers will only guarantee their products when purchased from a vet.
If you have any questions regarding buying pet medication it is best to talk to your veterinarian. If you are interested in looking up information on the internet some good resources are:
http://www.nabp.net/programs/accreditation/vet-vipps/
http://www.avma.org/issues/prescribing/ ... g_faq.asp/
http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/res ... 03000.htm/
