FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scottsdale, AZ | July 2, 2015
Hidden Dangers When Buying Pet Medications Online
The U.S. market for pet medications (prescription and non-prescription) has increased significantly in the last decade and is bimatoprost to reach $10.2 billion by 2018 according to a recently released FTC Staff Report (Competition in the Pet Medications Industry).
An increasing number of pet owners are now buying pet medications outside the veterinary channel including brick-and-mortar retailers and from online pharmacies. “This may pose a significant risk to pets because many non-veterinary retailers are selling pet medications which are not-authorized by the manufacturer” according to Todd Nemet, President of PetsReviews.
2014 PET MEDICATION SALES*
Consumers no longer view veterinarians as the sole source for pet medications.
- Veterinarians accounted for 58% of sales.
- Brick-and-Mortar retailers accounted for 28% of sales.
- Internet/Mail Order retailers accounted for 13% of sales.
*Estimated sales according to a May 2015 FTC Staff Report.
Many veterinary pharmaceutical companies have exclusive distribution policies that require their products to be sold only through veterinary practices. These products are shipped to veterinary practices directly from the manufacturer and or from authorized distributors. Through the business practice of DIVERSION, some of these products are diverted via an unauthorized channel into the secondary market (grey market) to unauthorized retailers including online pet pharmacies.
“This is a potential safety hazard to pets when a non-authorized retailer is buying pet medications from the secondary market (grey market)” according to Todd Nemet.
For example, PetsReviews recently conducted a product search on all Vet-VIPPS accredited sites that sell pet medications online to consumers and found that 83% (15 out of 18 websites) of the sites displayed popular brands such as RIMADYL, CLAVAMOX and or REVOLUTION for sale which are SOLD EXCLUSIVELY TO LICENSED VETERINARIANS according to the manufacturer’s website.
When buying pet drugs online, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consumers to “order from a web site that belongs to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy.” The Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (Vet-VIPPS) is an accreditation program of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Vet-VIPPS accredited websites comply with the NABP strict CRITERIA including federal and state licensing, inspection requirements and quality assurance.
Pet medications purchased from non-authorized distributors may be harmfully stored (fail to maintain appropriate temperature, light and or humidity standards), mishandled, damaged, expired, tampered or counterfeit. Manufacturers may also refuse to provide financial support to pet-owners in the event of an adverse experience, lack of efficacy or quality defect associated with products purchased from a non-authorized retailer.
According to Todd Nemet, “the BOTTOM LINE is that online pet pharmacies are purchasing a portion of their pet medications (prescription and non-prescription) from non-authorized distributors. Pet-owners should always review the manufacturer’s website to find out which retail outlets (such as pharmacies, grocery stores and online pharmacies) are authorized by the manufacturer to sell their pet medications? This will decrease the potential for pet-owners from buying harmfully stored, mishandled, damaged, expired, tampered or counterfeit pet medications.”
RELATED:
– Zoetis Policy on Diversion: Manufacturer of RIMADYL, CLAVAMOX and REVOLUTION
https://www.zoetisus.com/diversion/diversion.aspx
– Accreditation Body Questions Pharmacies On Veterinary Drug Suppliers – (6.28.12)
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=23189
– VIN News Service – Articles about Product Diversion
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?catId=6957
About PetsReviews™
PetsReviews is a leading consumer advocate which seeks to improve the health, safety and wellness of all pets by improving transparency and accountability with in the pet products and services industry. We manage and operate the internet’s most trusted directory of animal hospitals and veterinary clinics located throughout the United States. PetsReviews is owned and operated by the Watchdog Media Group company which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and operates consumer advocacy websites for both the pet and passenger ground transportation industry including operating TransportationReviews.com which was launched in 2007.
Refer to our Press Room to browse the latest articles featuring PetsReviews.
For additional information you may contact PetsReviews at:
Watchdog Media Group
Attn: PetsReviews
7501 E. McDowell Rd No. 2221
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
press@Pets.Reviews
Todd Nemet is the President and Founder.