dog vs. human pharmacy

PeppersPop · 05-18-2008, 10:29 PM

Does anyone know if a people pharmacy will fix prescriptions from vets? I'm guessing it would be really inappropriate for me to ask my doctor to write scripts for my dog.

There is a pharmacy chain (more than one now, I think) that charges $4 for a month's supply of many generic medications.

Pepper was given a prescription to treat diarrhea... I paid $11 for 7 pills when I could have 28 pills of the same medication for $4 at the people pharmacy. It's the same dose too.

The pharmacy program is not an insurance program. Anyone, insured or not, can get medication for $4.

Thoughts?

Regards,
Sid

Patt · 05-18-2008, 10:34 PM

Never heard of the plan you are talking about. My vet has no problem calling in prescriptions for clients or giving them a script to pick it up themselves. Although I don't think you would need a 28 days supply of diarrhea meds no matter how inexpensive it is.

5 s corral · 05-18-2008, 10:58 PM

I know walmart has that 4.00 for scrips i would ask your vet the wose thing he could say is no
jamie

Patt · 05-18-2008, 11:24 PM

This just showed up on another board, is this what you are talking about? Sounds like a good deal.

https://webapp.walgreens.com/MYWCARD...y/RxSavingsRH?

PeppersPop · 05-18-2008, 11:36 PM

Both Walmart and Target have lists of generic medication that costs $4 for a month's supply.

My vet is more than willing to call/fax/mail or let me pick up prescriptions for doggy medicine to be filled wherever, but I've never tried taking it to a human pharmacy. I was going to get Pepper's Heartguard from an online pharmacy (something like 1800PetMeds) but it ended up being cheaper from the vet's office.

I'm not saying that I want or need a 28 day supply (tho Pepper is half-way through his 2nd month of chronic diarrhea) of diarrhea medication, but if I can get 7 (or more) tabs of Flagyl at Target for $4, it seems silly to pay $11 to get the exact same medication from the vet.

Pepper has allergies and scratches his belly and nibbles his legs/paws until they are raw, so the vet has him on an allergy medicine. Right now, he's taking pills that are leftover an old prescription of mine--yes, the vet knows and is ok with it. The pills are almost gone and I would much rather fill the next script at Target for $4 than pay a lot more to get it from the vet.

My vet has no problem with giving me the scripts... I'm just wondering if I can take the prescription to Target and get it filled. I guess I'll have to call tomorrow and find out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

Never heard of the plan you are talking about. My vet has no problem calling in prescriptions for clients or giving them a script to pick it up themselves. Although I don't think you would need a 28 days supply of diarrhea meds no matter how inexpensive it is.

Patt · 05-18-2008, 11:44 PM

I'm sorry, I guess I miss read your post. You shouldn't have any problem filling a pet prescription at a human pharmacy. I've done it a few times myself. Perhaps your vet would match the price of the pharmacy, that way he's still selling the pills and keeping you a happy client. My vet matches the price of Internet sites for heartworm prevention pills so I would ask about that too. Good luck.

p.s. Have you tried changing his food? That might cause some of his allergies.

Renoman · 05-19-2008, 04:58 AM

I don't see any problem with taking your vet's prescription to a regular pharmacy to be filled. I've done it before without any issues.

Chazz is on an antibiotic that if filled at pharmacy would cost me over $200 for a month's worth. I take the prescription to my local evet to be filled for $15.00.

I'm going to have to check out the places you mentioned.

lovemygreys · 05-19-2008, 06:22 AM

we've used the Target $4 RX plan for several dog prescriptions now. If it's something that is also used as a human med, you should be able to get the written presrciption from your vet. Ours has no problems writing them, though I've heard some vets will charge a prescription fee for doing do.

JenTN · 05-19-2008, 06:47 AM

I know Walgreens will, I used to work as a pharmacy tech there, we got dog prescriptions all the time.

A great pharmacist saved a dog's life once. He got a script for a dog (I'm thinking it was Predinsone, but can't be sure). He realized the script was for way more than even a human would take and called the vet, saying it would kill a dog. The vet argued with him that it was the right dose, but he refused to fill it. The vet ended up calling back and apologizing, saying he had mis-calculated the dosage

Franny Glass · 05-19-2008, 03:32 PM

I get my dog's mellaril filled at CVS every month.

ILuvLucy · 05-19-2008, 03:43 PM

We used to get our old dog's tramidol (sp?). filled at CVS nearby because the animal hospital was quite a hike.

Lolas_Dad · 08-31-2008, 11:49 AM

Well that's great that a pharmacy will fill a script for a dog. Now what I am wondering is can I get one filled and use my human insurance for the co-pay?.

Heck if Lola ever needs an expensive people drug I might have the vet write the script in my name so I will only have to pay the co-pay

lovemygreys · 08-31-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolas_Dad

Well that's great that a pharmacy will fill a script for a dog. Now what I am wondering is can I get one filled and use my human insurance for the co-pay?.

Heck if Lola ever needs an expensive people drug I might have the vet write the script in my name so I will only have to pay the co-pay

1. I doubt a vet would risk their DEA or state vet license by writing a prescription in a human name. They are not licensed to practice human medicine.
2. It's probably illegal as you are defrauding your insurance company. Your health insurance is for you, not your dog.

However, Costco has a special program for those without insurance. We have a couple of dog prescriptions filled there and our dog is enrolled in that program. They said there was nothing prevented pets from being enrolled as long as they don't have insurance (i.e. pet insurance). Saves us a couple bucks on each refill...not much but better than nothing.

DogsforMe · 09-02-2008, 02:28 AM

Boy, I wish we had such a scheme in Australia. The only ones who get cheap scripts are pensioners at $5. Everyone else has to pay $31.30.

poodleholic · 09-03-2008, 01:48 AM

Whenever I've had to get prescription medications for the dogs, I will have my vet call it in, so that I can get it at one of two pharmacies who offer $4 prices, if the medication is one that's offered. Many times a "normal" full script isn't necessary, so there will be lots of pills left over. Because I have a long history with my vet, he trusts me to check with him before giving any medication to my animals or those I am fostering. He helps me out this way because of the work that I do, and the care I give those in need.