High Vet Medications Prices

RichardCUK

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if any could answer a few questions I have. Mainly to do with how much extra vets charge for flee and worming tablets.

Now I know that if I go to one of the many online pet drugstores I can get worming tablets at the fraction of the price, the only problem is the vet I go to is now asking for an extortionate amount for a signed prescription something like £15 which sometimes makes the price difference from the online stores null and void.

My question is can they do this? Isn't there a standard price for a prescription like on the NHS? They also say for the Prinovox I give my dog they can only write a prescription out for 1 pack at a time. Again is this BS?

I'm just fed up of paying through the nose for dog meds.

Do anyone know of a work around or places that just need dogs details and not an actual prescription or of a place I can get a prescription from that isnt a rip off price?

My dog currently has Prinovox every month and Milbemax Chewable once every 6 months.

Rev

There's so many great wormers that don't need a prescription. Why not switch to one of those?

I use panacur or drontal, neither need a prescription.


Sorry I can't be more help with the prescription issue. But if you think the vet is just trying to gouge you then change vets if possible.

doglover86

Hey Richard,

I swear by Beaphar for Flea treatment/prevention (same active ingrediant as Frontline but usually about half the price) and then either Beaphar or Johnsons for the worming tablets - everything seems to be fine with my crowd off both products so I can recommend them.

This is where I go for them:

https://www.petconnection.ie/category/dog/dog-flea-and-tick-removal/flea-and-tick-removal-treatments

https://www.petconnection.ie/category/dog/dog-wormers

Hope this helps

IAmWales

Isn't there a standard price for a prescription like on the NHS?

NHS prescriptions are subsidised by the state. You don't see the true cost of the medicines you are prescribed.

Who do you suggest makes up the cost of your dog's prescriptions?

sheramber

Vets can set their own fee for writing a prescription. My vet charges £19

They also decide how long a prescription lasts - one month, three months etc.

The items you are getting are prescription only medicine because of the drugs contained in them.

RichardCUK

I'm not saying the cost of the meds should be subsidize what I'm saying is why can they charge so much for signing a piece of paper? I still go and buy the meds for their full price but £13.60 to get them to sign a piece of paper seems like a way to deter people from getting pet meds online as the discount vanishes when they charge rip off amounts for a bit of paper

RichardCUK

doglover86. Thank you for the links.

In regards to the wormer i says it prevents Roundworm and Tapeworm. What about lungworm and roundworms?

ElusiveLucy

Try a different vet - mine charges £10 for a prescripton

sheramber

RichardCUK wrote: »

I'm not saying the cost of the meds should be subsidize what I'm saying is why can they charge so much for signing a piece of paper? I still go and buy the meds for their full price but £13.60 to get them to sign a piece of paper seems like a way to deter people from getting pet meds online as the discount vanishes when they charge rip off amounts for a bit of paper

he is not just writing a piece of paper.

HE has to provide the paper the prescription os written on and the computer and ink to produce it.

You are paying foe his training and expertise in knowing what is the appropriate treatment.
He bares responsibility if something goes wrong or the drug is the wrong one.

He is paying for the running costs of the surgery and staff to provide a service to you.

Without all the above he would not be there to 'write on a piece of paper'.

Everybody pays their share on these costs in their charges.

RichardCUK

I'm sorry but its a rip off plain and simple. They have increased their prescription prices from £13.60 to £18. I'd say its because people realise medication from the vets is a rip off price so they crank up the prescription price to deter people.

My vet wants £80 for Advocate for my dog. I can get it online for £31. Even with the rip off prescription price its still cheaper. It just annoys the hell out of me they can charge such a rip off ate/

bugslet

Yes, it is possible that they have raised their prices because of loss of trade to online pharmacies. And I don't blame them.

Running a warehouse, even one geared up for pharmaceuticals ( presuming it is), is significantly cheaper than having to run a vets practice as sheramber has explained.

I would like people to pay me for my expertise and running costs in my work and I'm sure you would in whatever line of work you are in. Vets are the same.