The hospital has a full service pharmacy with most commonly prescribed pet medications and monthly preventatives. Most people find this very convenient as they do not have to make another stop and wait in line to have their prescriptions filled.
As a general policy I will only fill prescriptions through one internet pharmacy: vetcentric.com
Written prescriptions will be available upon request. The first written prescription in a six month period will be at no charge. With subsequent written prescriptions there will be a fee of $10.
(editorial)
This may strike people as strange but unfortunately this is the result of the rising number of internet and mail order pharmacies. These pharmacies are in fact not pharmacies at all but warehouses whose goal is to compete directly with veterinarians in a market that has traditionally been very important to us. Although we do provide and charge for medical services, there is no way my small clinic could get by without the product sales we make from our pharmacy. Some people may be under the false assumption that a business like mine could operate like a human facility and simply see the patient, write a prescription, and off you go to have it filled elsewhere. To do this, I would have to at least double the price of the services I provide.
It seems to me there might be 2 motivations why you would want to use a mail-order pharmacy: price and convenience. In fact a quick search of the web finds one of many such sites and indeed the banner touts exactly that, "Better price. Better service." Better price? I dont think so - I promise to match any advertised price you find. Why? Easy, I've surfed the web and I know my prices are about the same, I want your business too, and I'm really not that greedy. Better service? ARE YOU KIDDING? Do you think you are getting a veterinarian at the other end of that phone line? I assure you, you are not even getting a pharmacist! You are getting a phone-answering person. I stand behind every product I sell and can answer any question or concern about these prescription products. Can an internet pharmacy provide the same service? Guess who helps you if you have a problem with a product you buy from them? Thats right - ME! Now is that really fair considering the aforementioned banner ad? Maybe you are thinking, "You're just paranoid, Dr. McKee. I think the better price better service thing is just aimed at their online competitors." Possibly. But have you seen the TV ad for petmeds express? Where pet owners complain how the vet required this and that and how expensive and inconvenient it is... Nonsense, if these things were non-prescription, you could get them at the pet store. With prescription drugs there are standards of care that must be observed. I have a responsibility to examine your pet, diagnose your pet, and make sure that the prescription is appropriate not just at one point in time but on an on-going basis.Furthermore, I prescribe and sell top quality products made by reputable companies like Pfizer and Novartis. These companies will not sell their products directly to these warehouses. They are getting them through third parties. What does this mean to you? Companies like Pfizer and Novartis have extensive customer support and often will pay for care if your pet has a problem with one of their medications. This warranty may be null and void if you are not purchasing from your veterinarian.
If convenience is your issue please remember that this is a neighborhood clinic. Can it get more convenient than that? And your dollars stay in the community. If mail order is a must, please check out www.vetcentric.com They work directly with veterinarians and I have requested that they set their prices the same as petmeds.
I could go on and on. And I might some time, but I think this is enough for now.