The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issued a warning on March 4, 2004 that counterfeit versions of Frontline and Frontline Top Spot were being sold over the Internet. Clients should be aware that Merial (the maker of Frontline) only sells its products to licensed veterinarians, and product sold by Internet or catalog companies such as PetMeds are gotten through non-approved or bootleg channels. In the case of the counterfeit product, it was being purchased in Europe and repackaged by the Internet companies themselves. These products were not registered for use in the United States. Clients are warned that counterfeit products may not have proper dosages, instruction leaflets, or childproof packaging. For more information go to Merial's website for frontline - www.frontline.com/epa/
All major Pharmaceutical manufacturers maintain a strict policy of sales exclusively through licensed veterinarians. Products sold through the Internet are obtained through non-approved channels (i.e. bootleg). Manufacturers will not honor any guarantees on their products if they are purchased over the Internet. Pharmaceuticals manufactured and labeled for use in other countries have been diverted and sold through these Internet discount houses. Purity, efficacy and proper storage conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Our first concern is to ensure that our patients always receive the proper medication, in the proper form and the proper dosage. When you purchase anything over the Internet, you need to know who you are buying from, and how reputable the Internet company is. Several Internet houses have been sued for violating proper procedures. In particular, PetMed Express has been sued by the Florida Board of Pharmacy, The Texas Board of Pharmacy, and the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and was recently fined over $100,000 by the FDA.
Price and Convenience are also important aspects of Internet purchasing. We routinely monitor what PetMed Express is selling, and their prices are virtually the same as ours- sometimes we are a dollar more and sometimes they are. So there are no real savings to be had, despite their aggressive advertising. If you find a big difference in price, email us the website and we will be happy to look into it. As for convenience, with your own Pet Portal, you can now order from us over the Internet, and we can ship it to you by UPS if you can't get in to pick it up.
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