Vet Refuses to Write Prescription

[Snowdenfarm]

I emailed my vet for a written prescription for Adequan and he refused. He wrote, "As a practice policy I do not give prescr. for products that I stock." I was stunned. Isn't this price gouging? He charges me 25% to 40% more for these products than I can buy them online. Is that even legal?

[Watermark Farm]

I think it depends on your state. Here in CA, a vet has to provide you with a prescription for an 'outside' pharmacy if you ask for it. They cannot require you to purchase from them.

Check with the powers that be for PA; I'd start by calling the veterinary licensing board and ask them for info.

[Guilherme]

Whether or not it's legal sounds to me like it's time for a new vet.

In my lifetime I've fired both M.D.s and D.V.M.s for what I consider high-handed practices.

You're the consumer; vote with your dollars.

G.

[Snowdenfarm]

Did a quick search -- the answer in PA is no, they are not required to provide a written prescription. Still time for a new vet. Any suggestions in the Chester Springs/northern Chester Co. area of SE PA?

[asb_own_me]

Snowdenfarm - I haven't lived there for a long time so I can't help you, but try sending a PM to ASB Stars. She's in that area and may be able to give you a few suggestions.

[Phaxxton]

Maybe point out to your vet that, according to the AAEP Ethical and Professional guidelines:

C. Dispensing or prescribing a prescription product requires a VCPR. (veterinary-client-patient- relationship)

1. Veterinarians should honor a client’s request for a prescription in lieu of dispensing.
2. Without a valid VCPR, veterinarians’ merchandising or use of veterinary prescription drugs or their extra-label use of any pharmaceutical is unethical and is illegal under federal law.

Source: http://www.aaep.org/ethics_prof_guide.htm

[gettingbettereveryday]

I'm sure you already know this, but be sure to check the state licensing board for any past violations with the new vet, and if you're near another state, do the same in those neighboring states. I did this for the vet at a boarding barn that all boarders were "required" to use (not in contract, but barn owner from hell would not let other vets enter the barn). Turns out, the guy had multiple infractions and had been suspended in three states for illegal practices. Needless to say, I used the vet of my choice until I moved barns (which wasn't long after that, believe me!).

[JumpingBug]

Than ask another vet.

I do not think you can force a vet to give you something. Many vets do have a policy that you must by prescription from them. If your unhappy with this find another vet.

[vxf111]

When my horses were in that area, we used Dr. Susan Thayer and Dr. Tyra Crowley and both at times gave me scripts for Adequan. I now use Dr. Kevin Keane, though I am not sure whether he is taking on new clients.

[Foxhound]

I also give my vet the option of matching the price offered by SmartPak or another online pharmacy. I've found that most vets are willing to do this, as they still end up making money on the drug.

[cardicorgi]

I contacted the Vet board in my state after my (small animal) vet refused to give me a prescription for Lactated Ringers Solution/venoset/needles which I need for the CRF cat.

I could order bags of the stuff for about 500% less from valleyvetsupply but instead must pay $32 for 2 bags each month. I realize vets need to make a living, but that is quite a markup.

The state board told me that no vet must give a client a prescription upon request; the reason was to prevent the influx of fake/watered down/contaminated drugs.

[Grataan]

It is not illegal so long as he treats every client the same (refuses to give prescriptions to everyone, not just 'some' clients)

Might not make him look like a good guy but generally not against the veterinary practice act nor the pharmacy law (varies from state to state though)

[deltawave]

Tell him sincerely that you'd be happy to purchase the product from him if he can meet or come very close to a legitimate current price from another supplier. By buying from the vet, you may save on shipping, and it's more than fair for them to ask for a small mark-up. But if he won't meet or come close to a competitive price that you can pay elsewhere, tell him you'll be looking for a veterinarian whose policies are more in line with the AAEP guidelines quoted above.

[tbracer65]

Just chiming in to say you're definitely not alone. My vet won't write me a prescription either...for Adequan. His response to me was something along the lines of "that's how he makes his money." I use (for multiple horses) at LEAST 15 bottles/month so it would save me a ton if he'd write a script.

[FolsomBlues]

If a vet wouldn't write me a script for something he knew my horse needed and wouldn't match the price either, I'd get a different vet. Where else might he be ripping you off? When I moved last year I was able to get a vet to write me a script no questions asked, it's Adequan for heavens sake! Then I ordered online for huge savings. Vet wanted $59, I paid $42.

[Snowdenfarm]

I actually understand the whole "that's where I make my money" thing. I know large animal vets work longer hours and make less money than small animal vets and I want to support the large animal vets. In fact, for convenience, I would probably buy many drugs from him regardless of the price. It just seems stunningly unethical to determine that a horse needs a certain drug and then deny the owner the ability to buy it anywhere except from him at whatever price he chooses.

Phaxxton, thanks for the link. I would love to share it with him, but he lives very close by and I may need him in an emergency. I think I will quietly use another vet for most of my diagnostic work and, obviously, scripts. Then I will use this current vet for annual shots and coggins to keep up the relationship. I have other issues with him as far as IR issues and Lyme, so I will take care of those elsewhere. I started a new thread asking for vet recommendations.

Thank you all for confirming my gut feeling on this.

[RacetrackReject]

One of the vets in the practice I use will sell me things at cost if I ask for a script instead of writing the script. The other vet will write me a script, but charges $10 for the script. I, and my animals, like the first vet better anyway so I always just ask for him.

I think it's silly that vets won't write scripts. A lady in our office was saying that she paid quite alot for some meds for her dog that she could have had filled at Wal-mart from the $4 list if the vet would have given her a script. Frustrating to say the least.

[Ghazzu]

I actually understand the whole "that's where I make my money" thing. I know large animal vets work longer hours and make less money than small animal vets and I want to support the large animal vets. In fact, for convenience, I would probably buy many drugs from him regardless of the price. It just seems stunningly unethical to determine that a horse needs a certain drug and then deny the owner the ability to buy it anywhere except from him at whatever price he chooses.


It is unethical IMPO.

[jlrcoats]

Where I work we will not write a prescription BUT we will honor the discounted price if you can produce the advertisment.

[WaningMoon]

Than ask another vet.

I do not think you can force a vet to give you something. Many vets do have a policy that you must by prescription from them. If your unhappy with this find another vet.

In some states it says they have to give you one.http://members.verizon.net/~vze2r6qt/supplies/legal.htm

[FolsomBlues]

Where I work we will not write a prescription BUT we will honor the discounted price if you can produce the advertisment.

I think this is completely reasonable. That's all I care about, getting the product for the lowest price possible. I always offer my prefered provider the opportunity to match the price because I would rather give them my money. If they are unable to do that, only then do I buy elsewhere.