Veterinary medicine is expensive. And if you live somewhere with heartworm or have an older pet that needs medication daily for a chronic condition, online purchasing may seem like an ideal way to save a little money. But there are some things you need to watch for when you are comparing online pharmacies.
There have been many instances of online pharmacies selling counterfeit medication or flea preventatives. In some cases the prescriptions have lead to disease and death because the counterfeit medication was actually toxic. In other cases the medication may have been improperly stored or expired making it less effective.
So how can you protect yourself? Start by very carefully researching the online pharmacy you are considering. Check to be sure that the pharmacy is licensed by the state Board of Pharmacy where it operates. If you can't even figure out where the pharmacy is based, that should be a red flag that this pharmacy may not be safe to use. Call the company and asked if there are licensed pharmacists that can answer questions if they arise. Ask your veterinarian if they have ever worked with that pharmacy and if they had any problems or concerns.
Just like the pharmacy down the street, online pharmacies must require a written prescription from your veterinarian before filling a prescription drug request. Many flea and tick products are not prescription (Frontline and Advantage) but arthritis medication is. If the pharmacy offers to fill the prescription for you based on a questionnaire that is another red flag. A questionnaire does not substitute for a patient-client-doctor relationship, regular hands-on physical exams and recommended laboratory work. Giving medications without these safeguards could lead to serious illness.
And finally, some reputable online pharmacies have agreed to go through an accreditation process to ensure that their practices are safe and legal. This program, called Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (Vet-VIPPS), requires strict quality control, regular inspections, strict confidentiality and internet security. This is still a new program, currently 2 years old, so there are a small number of pharmacies currently accredited but using one of these pharmacies will give you an extra layer of protection to be sure that your pet is getting the correct medications. You can find out more about this accreditation program and pharmacies that are participating here.
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