Negotiating Pharmacy Costs

[keh]

My vet doesn’t use Covetrus Pharmacy, which frequently runs sales. Because of this, I spend about $400 more a year for my medications. My horse is on this medication for life, so it adds up.

I’m debating switching practices to one that uses Covetrus. Would you ask your vet for a more competitive pharmacy price? The practice I use is also higher across the board for everything from vaccines to farm calls…but the additional pharmacy costs make me feel like I’m literally throwing money away…

Edited to add that my vet won’t give me a RX. They referred me to their own site pharmacy when I asked.

[trubandloki]

I use the vet I use because I trust the care and service that they provide.

If you want to use the vet you are now using, why not just ask if you can get a written prescription and go where you want to get it filled?

[joiedevie99]

I believe most states have laws against this now, or at least have it written into their ethics codes. Vets must write prescriptions for a prescribed medication that they would otherwise be dispensing themselves upon request. They can, however, charge a fee for doing so.

[luvmyhackney]

Mine will write a script for a small fee.

Generally I buy from them anyway and suck up the additional costs but it’s only $100-$150.

For a $400 savings I would be shopping around.

[Arzny]

Or they’re like my vet and will write it…for $50/med. So their 30% mark up is a better deal than other places. It’s a racket.

[Djones]

Your vet only buys x amount at $$$ cost. They clear $ in profit.

Wholesale distributors (covetrous and the like) get it for $ and sell it for $$. Volume discounts have buying power). They clear $$ in profit.

Welcome to capitalism.

[OzarksRider]

@keh

my vet won’t give me a RX

@joiedevie99

I believe most states have laws against this now,

My state requires vets to write a prescription if a client requests. @keh, could you find out if your state requires it?

[keh]

My state doesn’t have laws requiring veterinarians to give clients written prescriptions.

Thankfully, I have other practitioner options. I appreciate my vets & support small practices for all my needs (vaccines, dentals, fecals, medications), but I also donate to charities…more money to vets means less money for TNR efforts or to support Fido’s medical care at my local rescue.

I only make so much…& try to spread it dutifully.