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It seems like a no-brainer: purchase your pet's medication online. After all, when you buy them at the veterinarian's office and they're exponentially more expensive than those sold on the Internet. And your pet's doctor signs off on the prescription. Done deal. But, think again.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to pet owners about unregulated online pharmacies that sell expired or counterfeit drugs without a prescription. According to the FDA website, foreign and domestic web pharmacies might ask a pet's parents to fill out an online form and then falsely claim a veterinarian will evaluate the pet's condition to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
"Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies," says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., deputy director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating against the law."
The ASPCA does not recommend that pet owners forgo purchasing pet drugs on the Internet altogether, but encourages the participation of your pet's veterinarian in any decision to medicate your pet. The ASPCA recommends avoiding the purchase of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-- among the most common drugs dispensed online without a prescription -- to treat their pet's pain without consulting a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. NSAIDs can be dangerous if not dispensed properly, and pets taking these drugs should be monitored closely.
Here are some practices to follow if you purchase your pet's medications online:
Bring your pet to a veterinarian for a physical exam and obtain a written prescription for any medications.
Ask your veterinarian if he or she uses an online pharmacy service. Such services are state-licensed and require active participation of a reputable doctor.
Only purchase medication from websites that are Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited.
Check to see whether the online pharmacy you're considering is accredited at www.nabp.net.
Send your veterinarian's written prescription to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy.
For more tips on purchasing pet drugs online, visit the FDA's consumer health information page.
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