Veterinary prescription charges

bunsmum

Thanks for that - I'll get straight onto it in the morning :T

I know I'm paying dear <sigh> ... they aren't the cheapest in the area either but I can honestly say hand on heart they are the best. And it's that faith that keeps us there. Our dog has lived 2 years past the original prognosis, and I'm convinced it's the standard of care. If it comes to it then I'll pay it because it's not worth jeapordising her care for, but hopefully if enough of us complain about it, wheels will start to turn.

I wasn't sure about the RCVS, so I'm glad you clarified that for me. I'd rather go straight to the person who is actually gathering this information, than send it someone who isn't that interested.

I really appreciate your help

bunsmum

Just posting an update ...

I sent the email this morning and tonight I got a reply - it's basically a standard reply with the same text as is on the consumer site. It says they are monitoring developments, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully enough people will make their feelings known and either the OFT or government will have to act.

Fingers crossed!

DaveW007

I too am having problems with my vet over prescription charges. Like bunsmum I too purchase my medication through Petdrugs Online. With the prescription charge from my vet this is no longer financially economical for me. To rub salt in the wounds my vet will no longer supply me with the medication unless I take my cat for a consultancy which then bumps up the price even more!!

snowman2_2

There are legal reasons why the vet may want to check your cat but this should be the same whether you ask for a prescription or get the drugs direct from the vet. The charge for the check up should also be the same.

Kimberley

I think prescriptions should be written out for free to be honest. I mean they don't even write them, they print them off and the vet just signs it and it doesn't take a minute of their time. They know full well that people can buy them cheaper online thats why they charge so much for a prescription.

This is probably also why so many people leave their pets to heal themselves rather then get treated at the vets. Many cases have come about where an animal has been taken in for Paracetamol or Asprin poisoning because people try to heal their pet themselves. I know that because a warning was up on my vets wall about it when I had to take my cat in.

bunsmum

It's gotten to the stage now where because of the charges, we buy 3 of the drugs direct from the vet. It used to be cheaper but now they charge so much for a prescription, we're actually better off buying from them. The two expensive drugs (vetmedin and fortekor) are still significantly cheaper after paying prescription charges so we still go online for those.

I guess this is just another one of those things that pet owners will have to tolerate, even though some people seem to be using these charges to increase their profits, rather than simply to be adequately compensated for their time.

snowman2_2

Kimberley wrote: »

I think prescriptions should be written out for free to be honest. I mean they don't even write them, they print them off and the vet just signs it and it doesn't take a minute of their time. They know full well that people can buy them cheaper online thats why they charge so much for a prescription.

It actually takes more like 4 - 5 minutes to review a case, type up the prescription, print it and sign it. Why should a vet do that for free in order to give someone else the profit for selling the drugs? You have to remember that you are asking the vet to do something which takes money away from themselves to give to someone else. Who else is going to do that? No-one. Two things annoy me about vet's charges. One, a minority of vets who overcharge to silly levels, most vets try to be sensible but it is a costly business and two, owners who want everything doing for their pets but aren't prepared to pay for it. Either accept top service and the price that goes with it or accept a lower level of service.

MrsTinks

Ooooo interesting cos I just had this discussion with my friend who's a vet and was round here for a walk with the hounds

Snowman2 bascially pointed out the main points she had too - yes they make a profit on drugs - and why shouldn't they??? Ok a few vets overcharge and shame on them! But most vets have set profit levels etc and as snowman said - it's a costly business to be in. An example my mate pointed out tonight was that the main overhead is actually equipment - blood analysis equipment where she works for example cost over £25k. Now they'd never recoup that purely from running blood tests so other areas of the business has to cover this - they try to spread it out over all the areas so none are "extortionate". If they didn't then blood tests would end up being £300 or so a go - and no matter how vital then no-one without insurance would actually pay that and the animals would suffer as a result.
Yes they could not have all this great equipment and as snowman says - either accept top service and the price that goes with it or pay less and accept a lower level of service.
Her practise has also taken to charging £10 per prescription if it's not collected from them - this is because it DOES take more than 30 seconds to review the case file, check the details, verify the drug that is required and print out the piece of paper and then sign it. And ofcourse by signing it then the vet accepts responcibility that this IS the right medication to give for this animal... She also insists that the animal concerned is taken in for check ups every 3 months instead of 6 months which she might normally if the animal had the prescription from them - because usually if people scrimp on the medication they will be less likely to contact the vet if the pet isn't reacting or recovering like it should - if they have bought it from the vet they are quick to pick up the phone and complain and her view is that she'd rather loose a few customers than have people not call her if the pet has a bad reaction etc etc etc because they have bought it somewhere else - not saying al pet owners are like this but she's seen it happen enough that she has decided to change her policy because of it.

buckrogers

Anyone watch Pets Undercover tonight http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/Tonight/Ep17PetsUndercoverWk11/default.html
about some Vets ripping people off, over charging and giving treament thats not needed. Making up things that was wrong with your pet when its not true just so they can make money and if you your pet is insured, just adding on more stuff.
medication sold by the vets are sold cheaper online.

UKTigerlily

buckrogers wrote: »

Anyone watch Pets Undercover tonight http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/Tonight/Ep17PetsUndercoverWk11/default.html
about some Vets ripping people off, over charging and giving treament thats not needed. Making up things that was wrong with your pet when its not true just so they can make money and if you your pet is insured, just adding on more stuff.
medication sold by the vets are sold cheaper online.

I haven't seen it as I don't have a TV but i'm going to look if there's anything like iPlayer or 4OD for ITV. It's quite right that Vets have to often charge more, online companies don't have the huge overheads Vets do, but I agree some Vets take the P!