Can You Fill Your Pet's Prescription Outside the Vet Clinic? Written-Prescription Rights, Possible Fees, and Where the Savings Are

The clinic is the biggest seller

The Federal Trade Commission's 2015 staff report on pet medications cites an estimate that in 2014 veterinarians made 58% of pet medication sales. Brick-and-mortar retailers made 28% and internet or mail-order sellers 13%.

You can ask for a written prescription

The AVMA tells veterinarians to honor a client's request to prescribe rather than dispense when a drug is medically necessary. The FTC counted 31 states with laws, rules or policy statements requiring a portable prescription on request in some circumstances, and the AVMA's veterinarian FAQ cites 36.

Expect a possible writing fee

The AVMA says no federal law prevents a clinic from charging for the time it takes to write a prescription, though some states add rules. The FTC report also describes complaints about clinics that asked for liability waivers or extra fees. Ask before the visit ends and subtract any fee from your savings.

Where the savings come from

The FTC report cites a 2009 study finding average online prices below veterinary prices. That is old, so treat it as direction. One blogger found gabapentin and trazodone far cheaper at Costco, which requires a membership for pet prescriptions, but Apoquel cheaper at the vet ($215 versus $255 for 100 tablets).

Generics help less for pets

The FTC cites Generic Animal Drug Alliance figures that 86% of FDA-approved animal drugs had no generic, and trade analysts put pet generic savings near 20%, against about 80% for human generics. Brand-driven bills, such as Apoquel and Cytopoint or arthritis injections, may show a smaller gap than older drugs.

Do the math before you switch

• Get the clinic's monthly price for the exact drug, strength and quantity.
• Get the pharmacy's price for that item, plus shipping and any membership.

For a long-term drug such as a cat's methimazole, a few dollars a month adds up over a year.

Check the pharmacy and your plan

Use a pharmacy that requires a valid prescription and verifies it with your vet. If you have insurance, ask whether prescriptions filled elsewhere are reimbursed; wellness plans versus insurance explains how the two differ.

Questions for the front desk

• Can I have a written prescription today?
• Is there a fee, and does it apply if I fill it here?
• Is there a lower-priced equivalent?

Sources: FTC, "Competition in the Pet Medications Industry" (staff report, May 2015); AVMA prescriptions and pharmacies FAQs; Costco blog examples (illustrative). Prices change. This is cost information, not veterinary advice; ask your veterinarian about any medication.