THE TRUTH ABOUT INTERNET AND HUMAN PHARMACIES THAT SELL VETERINARY DRUGS

Today there are many options for consumers to purchase veterinary medications. In the past, the veterinarian supplied the recommended medications directly to the client. The rise of internet pharmacies and the practice of human pharmacies dispensing veterinary drugs has given the client the ability to buy medications indirectly through a third party.
The advantage to the consumer has been better pricing. The disadvantages, mostly unknown to the consumer, includes a significant percentage of these online medications being counterfeit, near or exceeding their expiration dates, and they may very well not have been stored properly therefore significantly reducing their effectiveness, if not rendering them totally ineffective and/or endangering their pet. The reason for this is that the online pet pharmacies and human pharmacies are not legally permitted to buy their supplies directly from veterinary pharmaceutical companies. They have to rely upon diverted merchandise (also called "grey' merchandise) from veterinary practitioners for the merchandise that they will then turn around and sell to pet owners. It is not illegal for veterinarians to sell their supplies to these companies, however, it is violating their contracts with the veterinary pharmaceutical companies to sell their drugs to these online pharmacies/human pharmacies. It also violates the veterinary code of ethics. The veterinary pharmaceutical industry is supposed to police the situation, but it is a difficult undertaking. When they succeed in determining when drugs are being diverted, that veterinary practice loses its ability to purchase products from that particular pharmaceutical company. Because these online/human pharmacies are dependent upon veterinarians diverting products, the quality and origin of these products has to be questioned. 

One of the main reasons why the veterinary pharmaceutical companies want their drugs distributed by a veterinarian and not a third party is to ensure that a proper veterinary-patient relationship is present; this relationship makes certain that their products are not misused and/or prescribed inappropriately. In addition, quality control is maintained as the veterinarian is much more likely to store the medications properly and turn over their inventory on a regular basis. Maintaining distribution of an effective, quality product is not only important for your pet, it is important for the reputation of the drug company for its products to be seen as safe and effective when utilized in a proper manner.

At Deschutes Veterinary Clinic, you will always receive pet medications and products that are safe, have been stored properly, are are genuine. Our products are competitively priced, which saves you time and money. Customer service and excellent patient care is our number one priority!

OUR DRUG PRICES ARE THE LOWEST IN CENTRAL OREGON ! **

**Sorry, we cannot act as a pharmacy for other veterinary clinics; we fill prescriptions for DVC clients only**