The FDA has created a website listing several warnings against on-line pharmacies. There are also subsequent suggestions for how to safely navigate through the sea of on-line pharmacies. The first sentence on their site states, “The Food and Drug Administration cannot warn people enough about the possible dangers of buying medications online.” http://www.fda.gov/consumer/features/drugsonline0707.html

OUR EXPERIENCE
In the short time that we have been open, we have had multiple problems with on-line pharmacies. The result of these problems is patients ending up on incorrect, counterfeit, and/or unapproved medications. Most of these issues were the result of the back and forth faxes and phone calls that accompany an on-line prescription approval. Due to the unlimited number of pharmacies that our clients may request prescriptions through, it is unrealistic that we are capable of researching all such entities.

OUR POLICY
• We ask that our clients understand that by utilizing an on-line pharmacy they are accepting all responsibility for incorrect and/or fraudulent medications.

• We ask that our clients understand that by purchasing medications from on-line pharmacies that they may be voiding manufacturer warranties. In other words, the company that made your pet’s heartworm preventative will not pay for treatment if your pet gets heartworms when you have bought the medication from an on-line pharmacy.

• We do not communicate with on-line pharmacies under any circumstances. This reduces the chance of potentially catastrophic miscommunications.

• If you wish to fill your prescriptions on-line, you may pick up a written prescription from our hospital. This prescription can then be mailed into the pharmacy of your choice.