Caution Regarding Internet Pharmacies

Television commercials, pet supply catalogs, and Internet pharmacies that promise a “deal” on pet prescriptions may be misleading. The Florida Board of Pharmacy has disciplined Pet Med Express and Savemax Inc. for dispensing drugs not approved by the FDA and contracting of veterinarians to write prescriptions without examining the animal. This practice is not only illegal, but it can harm your pets!

If you purchase prescriptions through such pharmacies, please be aware of these risks:

The drug manufacturer may not guarantee medications.
Some medications may be foreign drugs that may not have the same quality and purity assurance as the United States does. It is generally illegal to dispense foreign drugs in the United States, including foreign versions of U.S. products.
Some medications may be imitations of approved drugs.
Selling prescriptions directly to consumers without a veterinarian-client-patient relationship may pose health risks to patients.

Services Hartwood Offers

If you wish to fill your pet’s prescriptions elsewhere, Hartwood Animal Hospital might charge a nominal fee of $10 for these services:

Checking your pet’s medical history and confirming that your pet is well enough to take the medication. Weak, sick, or older pets should not take certain medications.
Reviewing your pet’s medical record to ensure that tests are current. For example, your pet needs a heartworm test with negative results before taking a heartworm preventive. Certain arthritis medications also require routine blood tests to check liver function.
Confirming the appropriate dose, how often the medication should be given, and the number of refills.
Recording the prescription in your pet’s medical record so we can carefully monitor its interaction with other medications your pet may be taking.

Questions?

If you have questions, please ask a Hartwood staff member. We strive to provide the highest quality medications for your pet.