Ordering Medications Online

Fasb's Owner said:
What's the turnaround time for online pharmacies (part. Fostersmith, since that's probably where I'll order)? How do they typically ship (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.)?

Also, the vet prescribed the 10 ml bottle (smallest size). He said we should get about 14 doses out of it, so I hopefully have a couple weeks before we run out. Does 14 doses sound about right? Want to make sure we get the next bottle ordered without interrupting Fasb's schedule (though, if we buy from the vet, we only need to give him about a day's notice).

Thanks.
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We use 1800PetMeds for Olive's Trifexis since our vet doesn't stock it and Temaril-P since it was significantly cheaper. Turn around is usually less than a week shipping with USPS (which I hate but oh well.) When we did order supplies through Fosters it took about the same time if I recall.
 
This one is probably a good one to remember my signature on.:cool:

I will say that the one time fee is certainly reasonable.
When we get one of those Pet Meds faxes (which begin 'Our mutual client…' - I wonder how much time they have spent with 'our mutual client'- ) we need to pull the record, make sure the med is proper, the dosage is correct, the time frame and quantity make sense, (ie someone isnt using a little too much phenobarbital), the dog's condition has not changed, (if we recently started using prednisone for a skin problem and someone orders Rimadyl for arthritis because they used it in the past, that is a big no-no), etc. If there is a problem it is on our head because we okayed the script.
Not sure why people would think charging for that is shady.
 
Make sure that you get a full blood panel of your dog every 6 months of so if they remain on Metacam. Our setter died from renal failure and we suspect it might have been from long term Metacam use.
 
The Quahog said:
Not sure why people would think charging for that is shady.
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Well, I don't think it's shady. My vet charges a fee per prescription, as it turns out, so it's not really worthwhile to get him to fax a prescription in and buy elsewhere. Eh, he's entitled to make money too. Honestly, he's spent a fair bit of time the past few years answering questions and discussing Fasb's medical conditions outside the confines of a normal office visit (i.e., he isn't charging me for these conversations), so I have no issue with paying a little more here and there. I'm still making out well.

Honestly, I'm relieved. I feel more comfortable getting meds from my vet instead of going through an online pharmacy (fewer hassles, shouldn't have to worry about shipping damage or quality control issues), so I'm kinda glad he doesn't make it easier/cheaper.
 
No I don't think it's shady either. My GP charges 3 times as much for writing out scripts, and usually doesn't field the follow up questions that the vet does. Only 2 meds I get on script anyway, all for Tully & for the human equivalents. Tully's tramadol, because the human version is enteric coated and the dog one isn't so it was easier to administer. And her tummy meds - the losec it was cheaper to get the human generic version from the pharmacy and now her new tummy med the specialist in Sydney prescribed. I know when I get a script the vet has to get it typed up and look up the correct info.
 
Even though the price is higher, I buy all prescription meds from our vet hospital. I like having that "right at hand" level of oversight and feedback especially for the meds that may often need significant dosage changes...and had I not bought these meds through my vet I wouldn't feel comfortable constantly asking my vet to spend his "free" time with me to work through any concerns/dosage changes/etc. He takes a lot of time keeping up with the most recent studies on different meds, printing out any pertinent info for me and discussing both the pros and cons of using a particular med and any alternative treatments that might be used as a substitute. I often have gotten a phone call from him 2+ hours after his official office hours are over, to fill me in on something he has researched that might have good results for one of my little ones when other meds just haven't worked as well as hoped. So, in my mind, the higher price on the meds just fills in for all the many "behind the scene" hours for which I am not charged.

Trini
 
It is a complicated issue.
You have the right as a consumer to purchase your medications wherever you wish, and your provider has an obligation to write you a prescription. However, he also has a right to be compensated for his time and expertise in reviewing and approving the prescriptions he writes. Having a major, punitive 'prescription fee' for each prescription renewal clearly violates the intent of the law.

The way I like to explain it to my clients runs something like this - you can buy your gasoline from the place that services your car, or the convenience store next to it. But if you use the convenience store, dont expect special service or a break on the price when your car needs repairs.
If you are going to be saving $12 a year by buying your Frontline and Heartguard on line then I would prefer that you purchase it from my hospital, as we have the expenses necessary to have a building and equipment and doctor available to provide for your pet or to answer your calls. On the other hand, if you are going to be saving $300 a year, by all means go for it with my blessing.
I often refer people to online providers for the more expensive medications if it saves them money.

So, as with everything else, there are no absolutes, it is all a matter of individual situations.
 
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As I paid for Tully's $77 compounded med from a pharmacy I realised why it's better to buy from the vet. Pet insurance covers meds dispensed by vets, but not those dispensed by a pharmacy. So it works out much more expensive at the pharmacy.
 
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