If you’re thinking of purchasing your pet’s medication from an online pharmacy, consider the following points to see why it could be unsafe for your animal:

– There are no Canadian federal regulations controlling the quality of the product when purchased online; therefore, there is no guarantee that the product given to your pet actually contains what is written on the label. That liquid medication could just be water!

– There are no regulations related to the transportation and shipping conditions (temperature for instance) or where the products are coming from.

– Big companies selling medications to veterinary hospitals, such as Novartis or Pfizer for instance, do not sell their products directly to any of those online pharmacies.  So where are those products coming from?  Many products ordered from overseas are in fact counterfeit or expired.

– In the case of a reaction or non-efficacy of the medication, who would you turn to? The companies selling those products guarantee the quality and safety of their product if purchased through a veterinary hospital. They will work with your veterinarian and support you in the event of a potential reaction. They will not do so if a medication is purchased through an online pharmacy.

– Some online pharmacies will require a prescription from your veterinarian giving them a sense of legitimacy.  However, even with a prescription, there is still no guarantee that the product you receive will be safe and effective for your pet.

– There might be a higher price to pay in the future if you buy medications online for your animal. Please consider the implications of ordering online and consult Centrepointe Animal Hospital if you have any additional questions.