Hello, The world is a very different place compared with even a few years ago. So much more is available to us with a few keystrokes or taps of a screen. We have access to many more services than before, especially if we live in smaller towns, saving time and often money. However, it can be tricky to decide which services to use. There are good ones and there are not-so-good ones — and some complete scams. This is the case with online pet pharmacies. They've made it easier and cheaper to get pet meds, but not all pharmacies are safe to use. While there are many reputable online pharmacies — such as Chewy pet pharmacy, which we've scrutinized — there are unscrupulous ones too.
Luckily, the FDA has a handy acronym to use when checking out an online pharmacy: A.W.A.R.E. Here’s a short version of it… Ask your veterinarian It should go without saying that you must talk to your vet before ordering pet meds, even routine ones like flea and tick treatments. They know your dog and your dog’s needs. They will also know if certain brands and pharmacies are authentic. Watch for red flags There are a few of these. They include: - The site doesn’t require a veterinarian’s prescription. This is against the law.
- There’s no pharmacist to answer your questions.
- It doesn’t list a physical business address, phone number, or other contact information.
- There’s no security policy for your information, or you don’t understand it.
- The prices are so low they’re
“too good to be true”.
- It doesn’t accept credit cards and wants cryptocurrency or a money transfer.
- The drugs you get aren’t what you ordered or look different to your dog’s usual meds.
Always check if and where it’s licensed All U.S. pharmacies, including pet ones, must be licensed by the state board of pharmacy or similar agency in the state where they’re based and fulfil prescriptions. You can find the contact details for your state board of pharmacy by visiting this handy FDA page.
Report problems If you think there’s a problem with the medicine you receive, the first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian. You can also report problems with medicines to the manufacturer or directly to the FDA. Issues with your order can be reported to the Better Business Bureau,
the Federal Trade Commission, or your credit card company. Educate
yourself Education is the best defense against buying pet medicines from dubious online pet pharmacies. As we said, the one online pharmacy we’ve vetted (pardon the pun) is the biggest: Chewy pet pharmacy. The drugs you get from there are the same brands you’ll get from your vet, but often for less money. Also, for this week only, all Chewy customers get $20 off an Rx purchase of $49 or more by clicking this link. This deal ends on Sunday April 28th.
Take care, The DFA Team The Dog Food Advisor Saving Good Dogs From Bad Dog Food
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