giraffez Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Why are pet medication so much more expensive? The same med for dog and human, costs about 50 times more if i get it at the vet hospital. My dog went into hospital recently and the specialist dispensed me some drugs. Because it is for long term use, he says he can write me a script for the future to get at the chemist. I'm not sure whether this means cheaper prices and what it means for my pet insurance claim. If i have it dispensed at the chemist, can I still claim under insurance? I looked up the drug on the chemist warehouse page and it only costs peanuts, but i paid hundreds at the hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 (edited) Most prescription drugs for humans are subsidised by the taxpayer through the pharmaceutical benefits scheme. Hence the ‘peanuts’ price at chemist warehouse, the government is subsidising the rest of the cost. Not unreasonably, this does not extend to pets. Nonetheless I find it cheaper to get a script for any long term medications and get them at the chemist. Not as cheap as a pbs script, but cheaper than the vet. You should probably ask your chemist how much it would be though. Probably even cheaper online through a veterinary pharmacy site. I don’t know about insurance, but I don’t think it should affect your claiming. Edited May 26, 2018 by Diva 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Lots of medications are the same for humans and dogs. However, humans are covered for most under the PBS as @Diva says. A couple of the medications that I am on, my dogs are taking as well. But I wouldn’t give the dogs my meds as dosage is critical ....... although I have had so much pain lately that I look rather longingly at the bottle of liquid codeine in the cupboard that I no longer use for Bunter as I am now giving him a tiny little pill rather than having to wrestle with him and get bitten in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted May 26, 2018 Author Share Posted May 26, 2018 Thanks @Divawhat are the websites you are referring to? How do they fulfil and order online if it requires a prescription? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Google ‘pet pharmacy’ and several will come up. I don’t use them so can’t recommend any one in particular. For prescriptions I think you scan the prescription initially, then follow up with the original in the mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 (edited) @Papillon Kisses might know some online pharmacies. We used one for Scottie (here in NZ) and it was about $70 cheaper per pack of meds. - worked out to be a significant saving - even with an extra fee for the vets to write the script every quarter. (Not that it'll help you - but this is them - http://www.willowbark.co.nz/categories/prescription-medications.html) Edited May 26, 2018 by Scottsmum typo & more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Just be careful ordering through chemists/online - we had one MASSIVELY overdose one of our patients. They commonly stock human medications which are much greater strength than animal versions! Vets have to use vet suppliers - the cost for meds is much higher than for suppliers for pharmacies. We also have to account in markup for time for vet to dispense, time to order/unpack etc. Pill vials/drug labels all cost money. Pharmacies would be able to do a lot of this far cheaper. Vet clinics also have VERY limited storage space so often don't buy things in bulk which those big warehouse pharmacies definitely utilize! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted May 26, 2018 Author Share Posted May 26, 2018 Thanks The strength and brand and packaging is all the same. @karly101 Why doesn't the vet just write a script rather maintain all that overhead? Its bad for the vet in terms of storage and packing and dispensing etc, and bad for the customer as it is so much more expensive. Wouldn't it work better to just get them to go get their own meds from the chemist and keep the ones that you need for emergency/surgeries at the clinic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 What everyone has said above. But also, be sure you get the right formula. It may be that brand substitutions or certain brands aren’t ok due to the preparation. And sometimes vets want you to stick with the same brand/generic/chemist if the medication is carefully titrated (e.g. anxiety medication especially for tiny dogs). Anyway, here are some online pharmacies: https://www.theanimalpharmacy.com.au/ https://www.petceutics.com.au/ https://petchemist.com.au/ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen15 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Funny story. I had a vet script for my dog to be filled at the chemist. It was made out to Samson (canine). The highly intelligent girl behind the counter says "is canine his nickname?" I looked at her and said "canine means dog"... 1 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 I have people looking at me funny wondering why I gave my son Malcolm the middle name Dog. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 My old vet always wrote scripts for anti inflams for the chemist they were a quarter of the price . Call me cynical , but vets charge an exorbitant price for vaccines that cost peanuts to buy in , so my guess is they charge what they like and make big markups , they are a business , that’s their priority to make money . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 18 hours ago, giraffez said: @karly101 Why doesn't the vet just write a script rather maintain all that overhead? Its bad for the vet in terms of storage and packing and dispensing etc, and bad for the customer as it is so much more expensive. Wouldn't it work better to just get them to go get their own meds from the chemist and keep the ones that you need for emergency/surgeries at the clinic? Regulations are if a vet can supply the prescription medication they should especially if the veterinary version is available. Most medications are needed to start straight away so most would need to be kept in stock anyway! Pharmacists don't study multiple species only humans so aren't aware of veterinary needs. Writing a script isn't a couple 2 process either for a vet (have to check dose/make sure no interactions, print and sign etc). But yes at the end of the day vet clinics are a business and need to cover their costs and make money and I think they deserve it - all the vets I know work extremely hard, have massive HECS debts and actually don't earn that much money for what is involved! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 New vet I went to suggested ointment for my dogs nose ( human one ) , they sold it , but wanted 3 times the price the chemist charged . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 A number of vets and nurses I’ve spoken to say they cannot obtain the medications for anywhere close to what you can buy yourself (because of the PBS, bulk buying potential etc) and that their markups are piddly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 I hear the cost of C3 is $10, they charge $85 , that’s a pretty hefty markup . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 11 hours ago, juice said: I hear the cost of C3 is $10, they charge $85 , that’s a pretty hefty markup . C3 costs more than $10. You are also paying the consult fee which is included in that $85 - that covers the cost for the vet to check your dog before giving the vaccine. If you just saw the vet alone for a consult it would be $70-80 (depends on clinic). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Depends on the vet. I was paying a ridiculous amount more for Scotties meds from our marrickville vet vs the family vet in dundas ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 9 minutes ago, Scottsmum said: Depends on the vet. I was paying a ridiculous amount more for Scotties meds from our marrickville vet vs the family vet in dundas ... We experienced that with Vetmedin but in the same council area! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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