?? for Dr. Doug

Rockhillmanor.

Glad to know you know so much. Per Dr.Doug, vets can purchase from a local pharmacy. You stated "vets get a bad rap about med prices." Never said it was my vet. If you will take the time to read my post it clearly states I have an issue with the office manager - not my vet. Before you post next time, make sure you know your facts. You are not a vet so know your facts or leave it to the ones that know!

Dr. Doug,

Thank you for your reply. My 1st thought was that meds can be profitable for vet offices and understand that, even don't mind that. In fact my vet and I had a discussion some time back that with the economy she was seeing less people coming in with their pets and she appreciated all the care I took with our pets.

When the cytarabine doubled in price, I thought it was because it was now being offered premix rather the powder form and then mixing with sterile water before injection. If the office manager hadn't gotten greedy and started charging almost 3x more, it would have never occurred to me to question the price.

My vet is on vacation but I will be in touch with her about this. If we can come to a compromise on the price charged by the office manager I will be willing to continue to buy from the vet office. If not, then something has got to give. Kissie has got to have the chemo but what expense to me?

I keep records on my vet bills. My average for the last 8 yrs has been $3800.00 a year - that's an average of $316.00 a month. This does not include vet specialists hospitals, which were almost $$7,000.

I want the best care for my dogs but I have to be practical, just like I am with the decisions I make in my life.

Again, thank you for your honest answer. Jan

We can and do get some medicines from a local pharmacy. Markup is a pretty individual practice for each vet. Our markup considers the cost involved in keeping medicine on the shelves (not applicable here), record keeping, pill vials, labels, liability involved in prescribing the medication, creating/writing the prescription. Markups for more expensive medication tend to be a smaller multiplier than cheaper medication.

A pretty fair chunk of our income comes from the sale of medications. Often times that income subsidizes other areas (surgery) that are usually under charged.

Internet sales have changed things and will probably have a greater impact in the future. Be prepared to have other charges re-evaluated and charged more appropriately with this chage. Just my perspective.

Doug, DVM

I did get a $131.00 refund yesterday. I could prove they overcharged me in 2/13 also. So "honest" mistake twice. Also been charged double since 8/2012 but left that alone.

Bet if had not paid enough, it would take about 24 hrs for the office manager to call me saying I owed them money!!

Bionic Man wrote:
I always ask for a written Rx if the med can be obtained at a local pharmacy. My vet has never questioned me about this. Many of the Rx's we get are for antibiotics and other generics that can be had at the local grocery store for $4 for a 30 day supply. I don't expect my vet to be able to match those prices.

Yes, OP... asking your vet for a written prescription is a subtle way of questioning the price. He/she will get the point.

As for the office manager claiming it's a mistake... wonderful! Tell him/her you're looking forward to the credit to correct the mistakes.

I am not upset with my vet - absolutely love her!!! She has always been very caring of my dogs needs and my husband and mine. She has treated all 3 of my dogs with love and compassion. In her care, we have had 2 very special needs dogs. When both of these dogs started having a lot of health issues she has worked with us on proper care without spending thousands of $$. Case in point, our Kissie, who is only 9 and needs the chemo, is also on insulin. She also has cataracts and can hardly see anymore. Due to her health issues Dr. T understands and really agrees that my husband and I do not want to put through surgery for this. For years Dr. T only scaled Kissie's teeth so as not put her through surgery. Last yr when Kissie's blood work was the best it has been since 2006, she said it was time for us to discuss really working on her teeth. We agreed and did dental work. Dr. T had to take out most of her teeth but also said that would be the last time. She listens, I have many times emailed her after hours and she responds. LOVE,LOVE,LOVE her!!!

It is the office manager that I am upset with. And BTW, I know for a fact that my vet office gets the cytarabine (chemo) from Andrews pharmacy for 2 reasons. Last year when cytarabine was taken of the market my vet told me they were getting it from Andrews and she was keeping in constant contact with them for updates. Also yesterday when I called Andrews directly, the person that I spoke to, ask me if it was ..... animal hospital, which I said yes.

I always ask for a written Rx if the med can be obtained at a local pharmacy. My vet has never questioned me about this. Many of the Rx's we get are for antibiotics and other generics that can be had at the local grocery store for $4 for a 30 day supply. I don't expect my vet to be able to match those prices.

I am sure Dr. Doug will chime in shortly but I believe a vet has to purchase all his medications from a pharmaceutical distributor. They are not allowed to go to the corner store and buy medications for their clinic. IMHO too many vets get a bad rap about med prices and it's usually because the client is not aware that he has to purchase them and pay whatever the distributor prices are to him. They have no control over that nor the availability of meds.

Vets most certainly can offer a client a 'prescription' for meds if the client feels he can obtain them for less at the drug store. I've never met a vet that would not offer that option.

No, this is not the case. The local pharmacy is very small and is not a chain. Not only does this pharmacy do a lot for humans but also for animals. Yesterday when I called them the person told me they charge $50 for 5 vials of the chemo I need. When I explained the situation to her, she knew the vet office because they had just ordered the chemo - of course for me. I am sure if I can get it directly from this small local pharmacy for $50, then my vet office is getting it at a lower price from this pharmacy. As stated having my vet office mark the price up to a reasonable profit is one thing but almost triple is to me downright gouging!!

I'm just guessing here - but it might be the same reason that Costco can sell stuff so cheap: volume?? Your Vet probably stocks a small quantity at a time; where a large online seller buys a LOT; and gets additional discounts?