Pet Prescriptions- Caveat Emptor

One of the more difficult times for a pet owner is when your pet is sick and needs care. We have come to know and trust our local veterinary clinic . We do this almost the same way we behave when we visit our own doctor.  After the diagnosis we have a discussion and more often than not a doctor will give us a prescription or call in a prescription to our neighbourhood drugstore for us. We always have the right to choose where we want our prescription filled. If we are on regular medication we may shop around to ensure we get the best price for the same medication.

When our pet is sick  the vet will dispense the prescription and never offer us to write a prescription so we can get it filled at the place of our choosing. When your pet is treated you may not want the choice, but when your pet is on a long term medication it pays to shop around . A November 2007  TV show (Marketplace) done by the CBC in Canada showed examples of the wide variety of prices for the same medication, which incidentally was   Tapazole - a drug used to treat overactive thyroid in humans, and it is also prescribed (in appropriate doses) for pets. Pets are usually on this medication for long periods. Here is an example variation in Canada on a prescription for Tapazole.

Marketplace called 100 random veterinary clinics across the country to find out the price for 100 pills of Tapazole 5mg.

Both the lowest price ($26.25) and the highest ($110) were in Toronto. Some of this can be explained by the higher or lower costs of business in certain cities such as Whitehorse, downtown Toronto, or southern Manitoba. Still, the range is significant.

A distribution pricelist for vets quotes the drug price at $25.91. Though some clinics were only charging a small markup, the highest markup in the test was more than 300%.

For the video and survey go to  CBC Marketplace -Cat Got Your Wallet

Generally there are  no price controls on medication in the US. or Canada. British veterinarians have had to lists costs for common medication and advise clients if the medication is available at the pharmacy.

The veterinary profession has generally dispensed for the convenience of the owner and do carry a burden in the stocking of the medications.  A number of Pet pharmacies have appeared in the marketplace notably 1-800-Pet-Meds and large chains such as Wal-Mart and Costco are carrying pet medications in their pharmacies.

For short term  or acute needs the veterinary clinic may be cost-effective but for ongoing medications         always comparison shop. Caveat Emptor- Let the Buyer Be Aware ! Save up to 25% at 1800PetMeds - America's Largest Pet Pharmacy