Andrews Veterinary Hosptial Prescription Policy
At Andrews Veterinary Hospital, our top priority is providing exceptional, personalized care for your cherished pets. Our team values the trust you place in us and strives to deliver honest, professional, and compassionate service. To better serve you and your pets, we’ve updated our prescription policy to ensure we can continue to focus on your pet’s health while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Why We’ve Updated Our Prescription Policy
While we respect your choice in where to fill prescriptions, we will no longer communicate directly with third-party pharmacies such as PetMeds or Chewy. Instead, we are happy to provide you with a written prescription if you choose to use an outside pharmacy. This decision stems from several important considerations:
1. Manufacturer Guarantees
Medications purchased from unauthorized sources often void the manufacturer’s product guarantees. Large online retailers frequently source medications through “gray-market” distributors, bypassing the secure supply chain manufacturers have in place. This can compromise the medication’s quality and nullify warranties.
2. Safety and Storage Concerns
We cannot verify the handling, storage, or authenticity of medications sold by third-party pharmacies. Approving prescriptions through these vendors may give the false impression that we endorse their safety and efficacy, which we cannot confidently guarantee. By purchasing directly from us or our online store, you can trust that your pet’s medications meet the highest standards.
3. Time and Focus on Patient Care
Processing requests from third-party pharmacies often involves repetitive communications and time-consuming procedures, taking valuable time away from serving our patients. By focusing on direct communication with our clients, we’re able to dedicate more time and attention to your pets’ needs.
Why Choose Our Online Pharmacy?
We encourage our clients to purchase medications and preventatives directly from us, either through in-clinic purchases or our online pharmacy powered by Vet Source. Ordering through our online pharmacy is fast, convenient, and eliminates the need for a written prescription. When you choose this option, you can rest assured that:
- The supply chain is 100% secure, from the manufacturer to your pet.
- Medications are stored and handled according to strict manufacturer guidelines.
- Products are guaranteed by both the manufacturer and by us, your trusted veterinary team.
You can browse our online pharmacy anytime at Andrews Veterinary Hospital Online Pharmacy.
What If I Prefer to Use a Third-Party Pharmacy?
We respect your choice and are happy to provide you with a written prescription if you prefer to use an outside pharmacy. Here’s how the process works:
- We can provide you with a PDF version of the written prescription via email.
- Most third-party pharmacies will require you to mail the physical copy of the prescription, so you will need to print and mail it yourself.
- If you do not have access to a printer, you are welcome to pick up a printed copy at our office.
Unfortunately, we cannot mail prescriptions directly to third-party pharmacies, as this can lead to delays and inaccuracies.
Supporting Our Local Business
We understand that cost is a significant factor for many families. That’s why we work hard to keep our medication prices competitive and offer manufacturer rebates whenever possible. By purchasing medications directly from us—whether at our hospital or through our secure online pharmacy—you’re not only ensuring the highest quality care for your pet, but you’re also supporting a small, local business in our community.
If you have any questions about our updated prescription policy or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support you and your pets every step of the way. Thank you for trusting Andrews Veterinary Hospital with your pet’s care, and for supporting our small-town, locally-owned practice!
— Your Friends at Andrews Veterinary Hospital
