vet prescriptions

hethmar

I can appreciate they dont buy in bulk, but these prices are available to us, the private buyer at that low. They could therefore buy it the same as us.

Jas, just saw your posting. My guy will only prescribe one at a time! To make sure he gets another visit charge every three months I expect.

hethmar

"We have a few clients who get things online then come in and point out that they can buy it from other places online and why dont we get it from those places (they accept that we cant buy in the kind of bulk that these internet companies do,which is what usually keeps the prices so low) - but I think Im right in thinking that as a business,you arent allowed to buy from a public supplier to re-sell(im sure theres a word for that,but I cant think of it at the moment!) You can buy from a supplier (ie Centaur or any other veterinary wholesaler) but not from a company who sells to the public."

Surely that would be illegal in itself, that there is a cartel not allowing free market trading?

trudij

I cant remember the ins and outs of it,im not even 100% certain that it still stands - will try to find out tomorrow if i remember.

it was something to do with being sold twice i think - will check.

TinaT_2

No prescription is needed for Drontal (worming tablets) or Frontline Spot-on (flea & tick treatment/prevention) & I get them very cheaply from this link

http://citycatsanddogs.co.uk/Shop.aspx in the Dog & Cat Health section.

Vets have previously had the monopoly on pet medication and could charge what they want - now we have more options available and a choice. It may be a bit difficult or embarrassing to tell the vet you're buying medication elsewhere but they will get used to it. Basically they're only likely to be grumpy because if we buy cheaper elsewhere they make less profit. As committed money savers the cash difference is better in our pockets than their's. So go for it!

Missconduct

hethmar wrote: »

Jas, just saw your posting. My guy will only prescribe one at a time! To make sure he gets another visit charge every three months I expect.

Hethmar, maybe it's worth changing your vet? I'm not that happy that my vet charges at all, but they are good in other ways - for instance, I know some vets charge for completing insurance forms, but they don't and they allow me to just collect drugs I need without having to pay for them because they will be added to the insurance bill (but then we give them a lot of business - two of our dogs between them have had about £5-6k worth of treatment in the last year).

By the way, if anyone is looking for a good insurer (and remember you pretty much have to stick with one insurer as once your animal has had a condition, you can't change else the condition is excluded) - I would recommend Halifax. They are one of the only ones I've found who do not charge you a % excess once your pet reaches 9 years old, and with a ten-year old Newfoundland who has needed thousands of pounds worth of treatment over the years, I really wish I'd found them earlier!

dilema239

If you go to a good pet shop they will give you advice,but most pet shop wormers are ok.One more bit of advice CHANGE YOUR VET if that's the way they treat thier customers.My vet who I visit about four times a year but who I have used for about twenty years,only charges me for drugs used.There are some good vets around so try and find another one.;)

snowman2_2

TinaT wrote: »

Vets have previously had the monopoly on pet medication and could charge what they want - now we have more options available and a choice. It may be a bit difficult or embarrassing to tell the vet you're buying medication elsewhere but they will get used to it. Basically they're only likely to be grumpy because if we buy cheaper elsewhere they make less profit. As committed money savers the cash difference is better in our pockets than their's. So go for it!

It is OK, the vets that lose too much money will just put their prices up elsewhere so they can maintain profits. Overall, bills will go up as you have the profits of the vet AND the internet pharmacy to pay for. Personally, we don't write many prescriptions and we don't charge for them because we have sensible prices in the first place. I am not the cheapest (but am competitive) but our customer services makes up for it (hopefully)

TinaT_2

In my experience when vets are itemising all costs, for example an operation (which even includes the cost of the gloves), it would appear they are earning in the region of £300 an hour. Those same vets have created state of the art beautiful surgeries. Great ambience but it's the customer who is effectively paying for the renovations. Yet the vet who will reap the rewards as capital investment. Forgive me for being cynical but I see that as being enough reward. I earn very little in comparison - yet went to university and have post graduate qualifications to do my job - a similar amount of training. The extra on the prescriptions seems to me to be a step too far.

Someone messaged me for postage costs re Drontal (worming tablets) or Frontline Spot-on (flea & tick treatment/prevention) cheap from this link

http://citycatsanddogs.co.uk/Shop.aspx in the Dog & Cat Health section

which is around £2.95.

Fire_Fox

If a vet is operating on site I'd argue they NEED state of the art surgeries: I have done aseptic work (pharmacy manufacturing) and I know how much work there is maintaining the level of hygeine, how much staff training is required behind the scenes even tho we had NO direct patient contact! Then there is all the medical equipment to perform surgery safely, which needs buying and servicing ... it's very easy to critique an industry you don't understand.

paddypaws101

Some very interesting points made above, and I am sure a discussion like this could run forever.
At the end of the day a Veterinary surgery is a business, not a charity. As such it has to make a profit, otherwise after some time it will cease to trade. Then where would we pet owners go for help?
On the other hand, I think that surgeries should make sure their charges are reasonable ( Snowman's comment above )
I think that governing bodies need to look again at the charges being made for prescriptions and lay down some clear guidlines as to fees, repeats etc so that the system is clearer and fairer for all.
My local surgery ( 4 doors down from my house! ) is brand new and state of he art, the vet has spent an absolute fortune on equipment and I REALLY hope he does end up earning £300 an hour because he has invested time money and emotion into his new business.