While ordering discount pet meds
online sounds like a great time and money saver, it turns out that this may be
one of the most dangerous things can be done for a pet.
While the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration released consumer health information in 2010 warning pet owners
against these risky online purchases, the information is still pertinent today,
as the Internet and online shopping have both become even more popular.
According to the report released by
the FDA, buyers should be aware of the implications that come with purchasing
pet medication online. While discounted offers and the ease of acquiring the
medications may seem like the best solution, oftentimes, companies that offer
these benefits are attempting to trick pet owners. Companies have been selling
unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit products for years, and this is still a
danger to pet owners and their pets today.
One of the biggest red flags that
pet owners should look out for is that there are foreign Internet pharmacies
that advertise benefits such as pet meds for less, but do not follow through,
according to the report. Yes, these medications will be sold at a discounted
rate, but oftentimes, they are not FDA-approved. These medications also do not
usually require a prescription from veterinarians, making it possible for pet
owners to get any medications they think their pet may need.
Another danger is that pet owners
may not receive the proper dosage or type of medication they are expecting to
receive. With some of these companies that sell discounted pet meds online,
what you see may not be what you get. People who are providing these pet
medications can easily refill the proper medication bottles with the wrong
medication, which can be very misleading to pet owners who are just attempting
to help their pets become healthy again.
There are ways to get around these
dangers of ordering pet medications online by filling pet prescriptions through
reputable pharmacies that are qualified to sell pet medications.
If the company is an online-based company, it is important to check that the website belongs to Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited pharmacies. According to the FDA, these certified pharmacies are accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), which indicates that these pharmacies “comply with NAPB's strict criteria, including federal and state licensing and inspection requirements, protecting patient confidentiality, quality insurance, and validity of prescription orders.”
Additionally, there are discounts
that can still be applied to these safe pharmacies for pet medications. Pet
prescription discount cards can be utilized to purchase pet medications from
pharmacies, helping to eliminate some of the costs and making the medication
needed more affordable for the pet owner.
No matter what, if an online company
is not marked with a Vet-VIPPS seal, members of the FDA strongly warn against
purchasing medication from these websites. These companies can sell the
incorrect medication that can make pets even sicker and potentially cause more
harm for pets. Pets should always be examined, diagnosed and prescribed
medication by a veterinarian before any medication is ordered. Discounted pet meds are still available, but pet owners do not need to go
through illegal companies just to get a good deal.
Author bio:
Allan Caan is the owner of Free Pet RX Discount Card, an online website that
provides pet owners with a free pet prescription discount card that can be used
in 56,000 pharmacies across the nation. Using discount prescription cards
provides pet owners with a way to pick up prescription medicine for their pets
and receive an average discount of 30% off pet medication.
