Buying prescription meds on internet?

[sweetlee]

I need to get Dodge's heartworm meds filled. I have a script and have been checking internet prices. My own vet doesn't carry the Iverhart Max, just Heartguard.
The Dr.'s Foster and Smith site has them at a great price.
I had read somewhere though that some internet sites sell bogus products that don't work.
I think the Foster and Smith company is legit, as well as 800PetMeds.
They even beat the manufacturers guarantee if the dog should get heartworm or even intestinal worms.
Do any of you buy from these sites?
I would like to save the money I can save, but certainly don't want to cheap-out on my dog's health.
Also a heads up, the Frontline is WAY cheaper than buying at the local vet.

thanks,

Sharon

[Terri Lambert]

Just to let you know of what I have heard through the vet where I work they are not regulated of how they stock the medicine (in extreme cold weather or extreme hot weather).
Also the manufactor does not guarantee their medication purchased other than from a vet.

[brutus'mother]

I just bought Tri-Heart Plus (Ivermectin/pyrantel) from Fosters and Smith online after a lot of investigative work. I always assumed it not to be a good idea to buy medications online.
I verified with Shering-Plough (makers of Tri-Heart Plus) via e-mails and phone conversations that as long as there is an intact vet-client relationship that will provide documentation as requested they will provide the same guarantee as if it was bought in the vets office. I also verified thru Shering-Plough and Dr Fosters and Smith that the medication is bought directly from the manufacturer following all safety protocols without the use of any middle man .
My vets office was not as helpful, they charged me $9 for the script to be faxed and really wanted to charge $18 because it was actually 2 scripts due to weight of dog being over 100#'s.
They also informed me that in no way would this medication be guaranteed from the manufacturer and their rep had assured them of this as well.
Short version-after re-checking with their rep the medication is actually sold directly to Fosters and Smith. I offered to buy directly from my vets office if they would match the price of Fosters and Smith naturally they declined.
If I had the slightest doubt about the efficacy of the drug from Fosters and Smith after all the time I spent checking and cross checking I would have paid the extra money and bought from my vets office.
I can offer no advice or personal experience from any other online sites.

[VioletAndRose]

Originally Posted by Terri Lambert

Just to let you know of what I have heard through the vet where I work they are not regulated of how they stock the medicine (in extreme cold weather or extreme hot weather).
Also the manufactor does not guarantee their medication purchased other than from a vet.

I also work at a vet clinic, and this is the same information that I have received. My clinic will also match internet prices. There is a site called "VetCentric.com" and this is the ONLY online site that we will recommend and manufactors will guarantee their products.


Hope this helps!

[fbkeays]

I am shocked that your vet charged you $9 to write the script. Calif. law says that I am entitled to buy the meds where ever I chose and the medical professional has to supply me with a paper script. I have not read through the law in several years so I don't know if it specifies that the dr. can not charge extra for the paper script or not. My vet has never charged me extra.
My old dog had previcox and I could get it for $50 cheaper on line then from my vet. My vet was more then happy to write the script and the assistant even told me that I didn't need a script that I could have the internet place call them and she would verify that a script was on file. I just found it easier for me phyically have the script and fax it (or scan and e-mail) to the on-line place.
It sounds like your vet doesn't value you as a client. If you have a choice, I would suggest that you investigate other vets.

[brutus'mother]

I was shocked when they wanted to charge me $9.
I was plain pissed off when they wanted to charge me $9 for the script for 50-100# dogs and another $9 for the 1-25# script!
I paid $9 total and am now in the process of choosing another vet.

[Bosko]

It doesn't suprise me that they charged you for the script! I found out the hard way that not all vets operate in the best interest of the client/pet, but in the interest of their own pocketbook. I've learned that at the end of the day a clinic is a business with bills to pay and that the law doesn't hold them accountable for their actions. Our pets are viewed as personal property no different than anything else we buy. This thought maybe changing as there are cases where they were held accountable, but very seldomly. The bottom line, IMO is most vets are out to make money first and serve the patient second!

[brunie's mom]

This winter on the CBC (Canada) there was an investigative report show on ,showing how veterinarians are ripping off clients with the prescription medications. The HUGE mark-ups on medications, and the scare tactics to clients used if they try to buy medications on-line,etc. Saying they are bogus meds, or not up to par,etc. The went to 4-5 vet offices in different cities in Canada...and it was just sickening on the price differences as well as the money that was being made. Most clients don't mind that vet's make some money on prescriptions and medications....but this was 300-400% mark-ups!

My China is on Metacam....about $100. a bottle....the vet knows me, and offered me the no-name version of this drug....it was $70. for the bottle. I did have to sign a waiver so that I knew that this was not Metacam and the manufacturer does not guarantee that it will work the same, blah, blah , blah.

I think it would be nice if the vet's gave a choice of buying from them or buying elsewhere if cheaper.

Gina

[fbkeays]

In the case with my vet, she is a one vet clinic that only works 3 days/week. the other 2 1/2 days she is doing time at the e-clinic. She can not get the volume discount like the on-line stores do. Some medications she ends up throwing away because they expire.
I have talked to her assistant who orders and she has told me what the price is that they pay for the previcox and it more then what I can get it for on-line. Not all on-line places are equal tho. Plenty of online places charge about what my vet charges for the stuff.
Some vets are in it for the animals and some are in it for the living. I don't do business with vets that do it for the living. I am fortunate that I have that choice.