Sometimes, we may like to purchase our pet’s prescription online, after receiving a written prescription from your veterinary surgeon. Often these drugs are cheaper when purchased via online pharmacies, for a number of reasons including practices having to purchase their stock from specific wholesalers and large overheads of a veterinary practice, versus the storage and bulk buying abilities of online drug companies, making drugs cheaper to buy. Therefore, buying drugs online may work out more cost effective for long term use.
But how do we know that the products are safe?
Table of contents
Check if they are accredited sellers
You could check if the chosen website is an accredited seller. The Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) is a voluntary scheme launched by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to facilitate self-regulation by UK based internet retailers and compliance with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Companies signed up to AIRS must demonstrate best practice; including only prescribing the most appropriate medicine for the animal (in the case of POM-VPS and NFA-VPS drugs) and advising customers how to use the medicine safely. From 17th May 2024, it will be a legal requirement to be registered with the VMD if any company wants to sell medicines online.
That said, this is one of the best places to check for a safe company to buy your pet’s prescription from.
Beware
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), there are several concerns that consumers need to be aware of. They revealed that investigations identified a number of online companies selling counterfeit products and unapproved drugs that could pose a risk to the health of pets. UK owners could also fall foul of seemingly great deals online for drugs. If in doubt, or you have concerns about a counterfeit product, do NOT give to your pet and raise concerns with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Every month, illegal and often dangerous imported medications are seized. But many more packages come through and are a potentially serious cause of ill-health in dogs and cats.
A company selling online
As an online pharmacist selling veterinary medicines on the internet you must comply with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
- Sell only veterinary medicines authorised for sale in the UK
- Supply the medicines from appropriately registered or approved UK premises
- Properly prescribe and supply the most appropriate POM-VPS AND NFA-VPS medicine to treat the animal’s disease or condition
- Dispense exactly the correct POM-V medication on a veterinary prescription
- Advise their customers on how to use the medicine safely and on any contra-indications or warnings
They should ALWAYS ask for a prescription
You should NEVER buy from (or give a prescription medication from) an online website that has not asked you to provide evidence of a valid written prescription.
When supplying veterinary prescription only medicine (POM-V) products the online site should clearly indicate to potential customers browsing the website that a valid written prescription is required before a POM-V product can be supplied and provide information on how such orders will be processed.
They may also choose to indicate that Prescription-only medicines that are able to be prescribed by a vet, pharmacist or suitably qualified person (POM-VPS) may also be supplied if a written prescription is provided.
They should have in place systems to ensure that the correct POM-V medicine is supplied by a veterinary surgeon or pharmacist against a valid written prescription. And that the unlawful sale or supply of POM-V medicines is prevented.
They should ask you for a log in
A good online pharmacy should have an online registration system to record the details of customers who wish to order POM-V, POM-VPS or NFA-VPS products over the internet; and record relevant information about the animal for which the treatment is required, such as:
The species/breed
- Age
- Weight
- Sex
- Previous treatments given
And they should make sure you have access to and read safety information
Online sites should confirm whether you have administered the product previously. That you are aware of the relevant safety precautions relating to the product. And that you will read the packaging and product literature (e.g. the SPC) before using the product.
They should not give out veterinary advice
Customers of online pharmacies should be advised to consult a veterinary surgeon whenever information about the symptoms or condition described indicate that their best interests would be served by a face-to-face consultation with a veterinary surgeon. Online pharmacies are not a substitute for veterinary care, treatment and diagnosis – they are just there to supply you legally and appropriately with medication prescribed by your wonderful veterinary team.
Discussion