Online Prescriptions and “Calling One In”

I found my heartworm prevention for twelve dollars at Bill’s Pet Supply. (He’s a veterinary technician who steals Heartworm pills from the office he works at and doesn’t have a pharmacy license. He sells them on Craigslist.) I need a prescription to make this “legal”

PetMeds will sell me “heartworm prevention” (which they CANNOT buy from the manufacturer – it is 100% second hand through grey market avenues – this is fact!) For ten bucks. I need a prescription however.

Answer #1: No, you don’t. They will fill ANY prescription typed up on your computer and followed with a scribbled name with a fictious clinic name. The exception is controlled substances like narcotics but most of the time they fail to verify those, too.

Answer #2: I will prescribe through almost ANY brick and mortar pharmacy I can drive up to and inspect.

Answer #3: MOST online pharmacies show “precription on file” and DO NOT honor “No refills after xx/xx/xxxx” which is both illegal and irresponsible and THIS is the primary reason I won’t prescribe to online pharmacies. Honestly, my heart cannot go out protectively for a dog whose owner will buy anything, anywhere. I just cannot get involved. But I can protect MY part in it. And I do.

Answer #4: I do NOT require my clients to buy from me.

Answer #5: I may charge a recording fee for prescriptions called or written in because in order to have a complete medical record, I need to record your shots and where and when you got them AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY we have to record your medications list and where and when you got them. Frankly that’s a pain in the ass.

Just Another Mind Boggling Scam: There used to be an “accrediting” regulatory organization for Online Vet Pharmacies. This organization was crazy about the integrity of 800Petmeds and PetcareRx even while those companies were being fined to death by Florida Board of Pharmacy and they were trying to extradite the then-President of the company back to china – The accrediting organization was called NAPP – National Association of Pet Pharmacies. PetMed and PetcareRx plastered the accrediting organization ALL OVER their websites: (archive.org) and guess what. GUESS WHO STARTED AND CONTROLLED the National Association of Pet Pharmacies? Yeah. Petmed and PetcareRx.

“They Won’t Know Unless You Tell Them”

Most veterinary drug manufacturers limit the sale of their products directly (only) to licensed veterinarians. Heartworm and flea and tick preventatives are typically acquired from online pet pharmacies illegally.
Did you know that all human pharmacies, like CVS, Walgreen and Walmart have regular inspections on the medications they stock to ensure that there are no expired drugs on their shelves, that they are filling legitimate prescriptions, and following all the state board regulations? Online pet pharmacies don’t have to follow these same regulations.
Drug manufacturers only guarantee products purchased directly from a veterinarian. For example, heartworm prevention given every 30 days carries a guarantee that if properly used will prevent heartworm and parasite infection. If your pet is diagnosed with one of these parasites and you purchased the product from your veterinarian, your veterinarian will treat your pet at no cost to you. However, when purchased from an online pet pharmacy, you must pay for treatment yourself.
Counterfeit medications are a common issue for both human and pet online pharmacies.
Certain medications must be shipped and stored at proper temperatures. Inappropriate handling, storage, and shipping could render your pet’s medication ineffective.
Expiration dates may be short-dated and cannot be exchanged. For example, if you purchase a six-month supply of heartworm prevention it could expire in three months.
Source of bullet points: Dr Anna Coffin