You know that your clients have their pets’ best interests at heart. That’s why they brought them to you in the first place. Unfortunately, with the rising costs of pet care, many pet parents are also looking for ways to save money. And as many vet clinics have noticed, that desire is pushing their clients to shop for pet medications from unverified online sellers or third-party retailers. As we’re sure you’re aware, that seemingly innocent decision can have tragic repercussions.
With this in mind, we put together some helpful and potentially life-saving information that you can share with your clients. Additionally, we’ll provide some solutions you can implement to help encourage your clients to safely purchase their pet meds directly through your clinic.
The Dangers of Third-Party Pet Medications
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have both published warnings about counterfeit and expired pet medications as well as illegal substitutions and errors in filling prescriptions sold online by third party providers. The FDA has even created a handy acronym to help educate pet owners – A.W.A.R.E. The goal is to better educate pet parents of the potential dangers.
The Risks of Buying From Unverified Sellers
The dangers that can arise from purchasing from third-party retailers are substantial. The risks can even present when buying from big-name ecommerce retailers such as Amazon or Chewy. Although it is possible to get legitimate and safe medication from either company, both e-tailers also distribute merchandise from third parties directly on their site. It’s when those third parties enter the equation that things can get messy. And neither company does a perfect job at educating shoppers whether they’re purchasing from them directly or via a third party on their storefront.
Here is a list of just some of the dangers that pet owners can run into.
Fake or low-quality drugs: Some online sellers provide medications that are counterfeit, expired, or watered down. Not only is it possible for them not to work, but they could be harmful to the pet.
Improper storage: A lot of medication, such as insulin or flea and tick preventatives, need to be stored at the proper temperature and humidity. If the vendor is not storing the medication properly, the meds can lose their effectiveness.
Wrong dosage or product: It is possible to receive medication that doesn’t match the pet’s prescription. If the medication doesn’t have the correct strength or isn’t even for the right species (cat vs. dog), there can be significant dangers from underdosing or overdosing.
No veterinary oversight: A licensed veterinarian or pharmacist will ensure that prescriptions are appropriate and safe for the pet. Unverified third parties may skip these checks, which increases the chances of harmful drug interactions.
Little protection if something goes wrong: If the worst-case scenario comes to pass and the medication harms the pet, it is almost impossible to get accountability from the seller.
Delays in proper treatment: Pet owners may not see any adverse effects at first, especially if what they purchased was just a placebo pill. Unfortunately, that means that whatever condition the medication was treating may progress without the owner’s knowledge.
A Safer Way for Your Clients to Shop
The only truly safe way for your clients to get pet medication is through you – a licensed veterinarian. Some vet clinics have taken to having their clients sign waivers if they chose to purchase medications outside of their office, but this is not a perfect solution and does not solve the problem. As easy as it may sound to express the dangers and hope people listen, it’s hard to get those clients to return to the office the next time, especially if the medication needs a refill.
One of the best methods to ensure pet owners shop directly through you is for your clinic to offer its own ecommerce storefront through your website. Veterinary ecommerce storefronts such as My Vet Store Online are a great opportunity to encourage pet owners to safely purchase pet medications and shop for other essentials, without any inventory management or fulfillment burden on you.
With a resource like MyVetStoreOnline, pet owners don’t have to choose between safety and convenience. Instead, they can purchase directly from you – their trusted veterinarian – from the comfort of their own home and have medications delivered directly to their door.
Selling medications directly through your website allows you to ensure:
- Safety: All products are FDA-approved and properly stored.
- Accuracy: Prescriptions are reviewed by trained staff.
- Convenience: Easy ordering with fast, reliable home delivery.
Your Clients and their Pets Deserve the Best
When it comes down to it, it’s hard for people to pass up a good deal, but that brings a significant risk when it comes to the health and safety of your clients’ beloved, furry family members. Buying medications directly through you is the safest way to protect their pet’s health.
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