Why Pet Medications At Animal Hospitals Are So Expensive

Over the past several years dramatic changes have taken place in the prescription and non-prescription drug industry. Drug companies, pharmacies and doctors have all come under fire for setting and propagating unreasonably high prices. The same complaints are being heard concerning veterinary prescription and non-prescription medications.

Currently around 300 drugs are approved by the USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for use in treating companion animals - dogs, cats, and horses. Many of these drugs consist of the same active ingredient found in their human drug counterparts; and all must go through the same safety and efficacy procedures designated by the FDA.

Private practice vets, small animal clinics and animal hospitals were traditionally often the only source of specialized animal medications not generally stocked in pharmacies. They benefited from the high profit margins on medications, and depended on this income to offset the high cost of maintaining sophisticated equipment and staff in order to treat serious illnesses and non-elective surgery.

The new reality is that pet owners now have access to many new sources: wholesale drug distributors, discount drugstores, by mail-order and, finally, online Internet suppliers. There are even sites (such as www.discountpetmedication.net) to help buyers determine the legitimate suppliers and find the best deals on particular products anywhere on the web.

Animal hospitals, clinics and independent vets are beginning to face the reality of either losing their pet medication business or else cutting their profits margins on these products. There will undoubtedly be a continuing steady increase in the cost of veterinary services to make up the shortfall. The rapidly expanding market for pet health insurance is an obvious indication of these increased veterinary care costs.

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