Online Pharmacies: What You Should Know

WHAT ANIMAL OWNERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INTERNET PHARMACIES

Finding a “deal” makes you feel great…like you’ve outsmarted the system. But it’s a “deal” only if you are also receiving a quality product. Over 50% of counterfeit drugs come from Internet sites that conceal their actual physical address. Even though they say they are shipped in the US doesn’t mean that’s where they actually come from. The FDA has a hard time finding these companies since they set up warehouses at different locations and move frequently and change their website addresses often.

There are people who do buy direct from the drug companies and then resell to these pharmacies. So you may be getting the real thing but drug companies won’t back their products if your pet has a reaction or if the product doesn’t work correctly if it is not purchased through proper channels.

We haven’t found a fool-proof way to assure a “good” online pharmacy but here at Casselton Veterinary Service we use Vet Centric, an extension of our own in-house pharmacy. We know they are licensed, reputable and safe. Pharmacies must be licensed to sell in the state. You can check online at www.nodakpharmacy.com under “verify a license” to see if they are licensed in the state of ND or for MN www.phcybrd.state.mn.us under “online services”. There is also a program called “VIPPS” – Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. This is a voluntary certification program created by the National Association Board of Pharmacy. Their website is www.nabp.com. There you can search for a pharmacy or get a list of pharmacies that are certified.

Veterinarians cannot ensure compliance nor are we obligated to do so. But please be careful if you are using an online pharmacy. Remember it is illegal and unethical for a pharmacy to sell prescription drugs for animals without a prescription obtained from your veterinarian. If the pharmacy is saying you do not need a prescription this should be a red flag that perhaps this is not a safe site. You can request a prescription from Casselton Veterinary Service, Inc. but it has to be written and signed by your veterinarian and you have to pick up the prescription from our office. It cannot be verbal, mailed out or faxed.

Thank you,
Casselton Veterinary Service, Inc.

Drug Counterfeiting Fact Sheet
(Source: National Pharmacy Board Website)
• An estimated 1-2 percent of drugs in North America are fraudulent
• Worldwide drug counterfeiting is a $32 billion business
• Worldwide drug counterfeiting will be a $75 billion industry by 2010
• According to the Food and Drug Administration, the number of fraudulent prescription drugs intercepted by customs officials nearly doubled between 2004 and 2005
• Counterfeit sales are increasing at nearly twice the pace of legitimate pharmaceutical sales -- estimated at 13 percent annually by the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest
• Counterfeit drugs are commonly manufactured in countries like China and India
• The composition of fraudulent drugs ranges from crude mixtures of glue, chalk and sugar to nearly exact chemical replicas of complex pharmaceuticals
• Changes in packaging, labeling, color, taste, pill shape, and unanticipated side effects are telltale signs of counterfeiting
• Many counterfeit drugs are bought via legitimate-looking websites
• It’s possible for even drugs purchased at reputable pharmacies to be counterfeit