At Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Clinic, it is our priority to take every possible step to ensure that our patients receive the very best pharmaceutical products available. Many years ago, we participated with out-of-state pharmacies by returning fax requests. After observing too many dangerous errors on the part of these outfits in addition to outright fraud, we ceased that practice. For some time now, we’ve gladly given written prescriptions for our clients who request to have a prescription filled elsewhere.
CFVC’s Online Pharmacy Partner
We’re excited to announce we’ve partnered with one of our distributors to provide an online pharmacy option for our clients! VRxPro/Covetrus will provide competitive cost, shipping to your home, and will allow us to provide a greater range of medical options than we’ve been able to stock in our clinic. We’ve linked it several times in this post for you to go there today and set up your account.
For the sake of convenience, we’ll continue to maintain a limited, in-house pharmacy. When our patients need treatment now for this condition or that disease, they can’t wait on a delivery service. But for those inclined to take advantage of the benefits of a third-party, online source, VRxPro from Covetrus is a trusted, verified source, and we are confident you’ll be happy with their products, services, and prices.
Other Options
Outside of our two present options (our in-house pharmacy and our third-party/online partner), we advise our clients today just as we have for a long time now. If you decide to take a written prescription to an online outlet or catalog, we want your decision to be an informed one:
- Many guarantees that manufactures make regarding their products are null and void if their products are purchased through non-approved channels. This includes the guarantee reimbursement programs for heartworm and intestinal parasite claims.
- The FDA and State Board of Pharmacy have cited discount houses for violating prescribing procedures. 1800PetMeds, in particular, has been fined nearly $300,000 by the FDA and Florida Department of Health, and has been placed on probation a number of times in the past 20 years for violations of prescription and dispensing laws. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Texas Pharmacy Board have also sued this particular discount house.
- We have been unimpressed with the numerous dangerous mistakes and lack of attention to detail committed by outside pharmacies when it comes to correctly filling and delivering important medications for our patients.
We will gladly write prescriptions for appropriate products according to the following guidelines:
- All state and federal prescribing laws apply, including all aspects of the Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), the same as if you purchased it here. We will write one prescription per treatment plan at no charge. The written prescription will not be mailed, e-mailed or faxed; it must be acquired in person. If this prescription is lost or filled improperly by a catalog house or internet site, an additional copy can be provided to you for a nominal bookkeeping fee.
- To avoid any potential veterinary-client-patient confidentiality issues, we will not communicate with out-of-state pharmacies in any form or fashion.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the prescription is sent, filled, labeled, shipped, and used correctly. Sending the original and retaining a copy is recommended.
- We will not become involved in any product failure issues for products purchased through outside pharmacies.
As always, we will call in a prescription to an established, local pharmacy if you prefer.
Let there be no mistake or misunderstanding. We will not deny anyone access to a valid prescription. In fact, we are expanding our options with this move. We continue taking proactive steps to ensure that we are providing the best care for our patients.
