Withdrawal of FREE VETINARY PRESCRIPTIONS!

[AnnM1]

Hello everyone

I have just heard some news about the withdrawal of all free prescriptions issued by vetinary practices from October 2008!

"Over the past 3 years since October 2005 you have had the right to ask your vet for a free prescription for any prescription medicine that your pet may have needed. For those people who have exercised this right, this has meant that they have been free to choose where they buy, and what price they pay for their veterinary medicines.

However, in October 2008 your right will be removed by the Office of Fair Trading and vets can then charge you, even if you think you can save money elsewhere. There is no set fee and therefore your vet can charge what they like, as long as it is considered reasonable by their own governing body.

Now is the time to act. Even if you have never had to buy prescription medicines, the chances are that most pets as they reach their old age may need some medicines that require a prescription.

You can register your objection to the reintroduction of fees by writing to:

Emailing on: Bob.MacDowall@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Or by writing to:

Bob MacDowall

Remedies Policy

Office of Fair Trading

Fleetbank House

2-6 Salisbury Square

London EC4Y 8JX

Your comments should be in by 15th September 2008."

My fear is that many pets will suffer because of this as people on set incomes, etc., will not be in a position to pay extortionate amounts for medicines which they can currently obtain for half the price, for the sake of a free prescription and a first class stamp.

My pet has a life-long eye problem (she is only 6!). Prescription medicine from the vet costs me £48+ per tube which last 3 weeks only. Since requesting the free prescription I have been able to obtain exactly the same medicine direct from a Pet Pharmacy (located in Derby). Even sending by post, and for the cost of a first class stamp, I can reduce the cost to £22 per tube!

I wouldn't mind buying from the vet practice but they just seem to be able to charge whatever they think they can get away with!

PLEASE email Bob MacDowall and put your objects to him against what I can only see as the OFFICE OF UN-FAIR TRADING!

Ann

 

[Bigfoot]

Hi,

Before I get on my soap box could you tell me just who paid for these 'Free' prescriptions for pets?

 

[Guest]

As per usual, the burden is carried by working dogs.

Police dogs, fire & rescue dog, sniffer dogs, sheep dogs - even guide dogs for the blind, are all taxed to bu**ery to provide free health care for idle poodles and poms!

It's a scandal! - and it's getting even worse. Dogs from all over the world have cottoned on to the fact that veterinary care in the UK is an easily accessible gravy train, and are arriving at ports and airports in ever greater numbers, demanding to be taken to the nearest veterinary practice to get themselves attended to!

Summat's gorra be done, and quickly!

 

[Guest]

I am keepinmg well clear of this one. I have been in the 'doghouse' already regarding pooches.

I just know that I received a prescription today for me, and it cost me

 

[colin-yorkshire]

. Dogs from all over the world have cottoned on to the fact that veterinary care in the UK is an easily accessible gravy train, and are arriving at ports and airports in ever greater numbers, demanding to be taken to the nearest veterinary practice to get themselves attended to!

is that after the 6 mts in quarrantine selwyn

 

[Guest]

is that after the 6 mts in quarrantine selwyn⇦br/>

Of course - and *that's* a scandal in itself!

The government has been forced to spend millions on new quarantine kennels to accommodate all these foreign dogs - not that the dogs seem to be the least bit grateful, they just wreck their nice new kennels by chewing up everything in sight and defecating all over the place!

Then, when it's time for them to return home, they refuse to go -and their case is taken up by namby-pamby 'animal rights' workers who put them wise to all the wrinkles they can exploit in the system.

Even when the dog proves to be a vicious cur and bites unwary members of the public, you *still* can't get rid of them without a wail of anguish from addle=headed old fools who want them to stay in the UK!

Short of a humane cull, I don't know what's to be done about it all.

 

[LMH]

From my own experience, an animal has to be checked over by a vet every now and then (another money making scam for the vet) to keep getting repeat prescriptions, most vets under that system will not keep dishing our prescriptions without checking the animal periodically.

The prescription is free (providing the animal isn't requested to have a check up), any items prescribed have to be paid for by the owner.

Lisa

 

[Guest]

Luckily, I've only had to take our mutt to the Vet once - and it's insured.

Sitting in the waiting room I saw what seemed to be an endless stream of pet owners handing over money -

 

[Chrisbee]

My dog developed a limp on Monday so took her to the vet on Tuesday. Relieved of

 

[LMH]

Vets and dentists - licensed to charge.

You can even get certain blood results whilst you wait at one of the vets I use. Can't do that at my doctors.

My daughter's pony had a non serious illness and I spent

 

[Zafiral]

Sorry to put a downer on this, but why should the state pay for your pet's prescription. You choose to have an animal. If I cannot afford to get my car serviced or repaired, can I come and knock on your door and ask for you to pay? No I can't.

If you cannot afford a pet, sorry don't have one.

 

[Chrisbee]

I think you have missed the point Civical. As I understand Ann's post you pay for a consultation with the vet and instead of having to buy any drugs from that vet he issues you with a prescription (for which he doesn't charge) so you can buy the drugs elsewhere. Nothing is actually "free" and the only cost is to the pet owner. In future you will have to buy the drugs from your vet or pay him to write a prescription so you may obtain the drugs elsewhere. Please correctly if I am wrong Ann.

 

[Zafiral]

Sorry, my mistake, point retracted.....

 

[Chrisbee]

I am keepinmg well clear of this one. I have been in the 'doghouse' already regarding pooches.

I just know that I received a prescription today for me, and it cost me

 

[AnnM1]

You are correct Chrisbee. Thank you for putting it so well.

I live in South Yorkshire and our vet has to be consulted before issuing any prescription, even for the supply of Frontline Combo (flea deterant) which is only obtainable via the vet or from a prescription! Standard Frontline can be purchased over the counter but is less effective. Therefore, when I visit the vet he tests both her eyes (Shearer Test) for deterioration prior to printing out a prescription. He can, and on some occasions does, depending on how he feels, charge extra for a consultation fee. So, I am sorry, I feel that if we are then forced to purchase our pet medication from that source then it will be very expensive. I do not mind paying a small charge for the printing of the prescription as I would still be able to obtain the medication direct from a pet pharmacy at half the price!!! However, I think this will be impossible the way things appear to be heading. It sounds like the vetinary practice(s) own governing body will be taking care of that.

Ann

 

[AnnM1]

You are correct Chrisbee. Thank you for putting it so well.

I live in South Yorkshire and our vet has to be consulted before issuing any prescription, even for the supply of Frontline Combo (flea deterant) which is only obtainable via the vet or from a prescription! Standard Frontline can be purchased over the counter but is less effective. Therefore, when I visit the vet he tests both her eyes (Shearer Test) for deterioration prior to printing out a prescription. He can, and on some occasions does, depending on how he feels, charge extra for a consultation fee. So, I am sorry, I feel that if we are then forced to purchase our pet medication from that source then it will be very expensive. I do not mind paying a small charge for the printing of the prescription as I would still be able to obtain the medication direct from a pet pharmacy at half the price!!! However, I think this will be impossible the way things appear to be heading. It sounds like the vetinary practice(s) own governing body will be taking care of that.

Ann

Shearer Test last week was

 

[AnnM1]

As per usual, the burden is carried by working dogs.

Police dogs, fire & rescue dog, sniffer dogs, sheep dogs - even guide dogs for the blind, are all taxed to bu**ery to provide free health care for idle poodles and poms!

It's a scandal! - and it's getting even worse. Dogs from all over the world have cottoned on to the fact that veterinary care in the UK is an easily accessible gravy train, and are arriving at ports and airports in ever greater numbers, demanding to be taken to the nearest veterinary practice to get themselves attended to!

Summat's gorra be done, and quickly!

Selwyn - I am not asking, or expecting, free medication. I pay for the medication but if I am to purchase it at the vets surgery then I will be expected to pay 100% more for the same medicine which I can obtain by prescription direct from a Vet Pharmacy! This is the point I was trying to make.

 

[LMH]

Hi Ann

I am going to lodge a complaint but I doubt very much that the decision will be reversed.

If anyone tells me that vets are in the BUSINESS because they want to help sick animals, I don't believe it.

One of my friends is a nurse at a busy practice and an old gent came in with his equally old dog. He asked for some drugs for his dog (not sure what they were or for what complaint), the nurse looked on the cost list (which the vet pays the supplier) and for 30 tablets the cost was

 

[AnnM1]

Hi Ann

I am going to lodge a complaint but I doubt very much that the decision will be reversed.

If anyone tells me that vets are in the BUSINESS because they want to help sick animals, I don't believe it.

One of my friends is a nurse at a busy practice and an old gent came in with his equally old dog. He asked for some drugs for his dog (not sure what they were or for what complaint), the nurse looked on the cost list (which the vet pays the supplier) and for 30 tablets the cost was

 

[RogerP]

Both my dogs 'breeds' are prone to arthritis and with the one having suffered 2 cruciate ligaments tears our vets suggested glucosamine to help keep joints healthy

so we used to pay them hansomely for a months supply (

 

[LMH]

Hi Ann

I am going to lodge a complaint but I doubt very much that the decision will be reversed.

If anyone tells me that vets are in the BUSINESS because they want to help sick animals, I don't believe it.

One of my friends is a nurse at a busy practice and an old gent came in with his equally old dog. He asked for some drugs for his dog (not sure what they were or for what complaint), the nurse looked on the cost list (which the vet pays the supplier) and for 30 tablets the cost was

 

[LMH]

Both my dogs 'breeds' are prone to arthritis and with the one having suffered 2 cruciate ligaments tears our vets suggested glucosamine to help keep joints healthy

so we used to pay them hansomely for a months supply (

 

[Gumbo]

Last time I was in the vets the lady in front of " see your cat dosen't like coming here" not as much as I do I replied. As I got the debit card out for

 

[AnnM1]

Hi Ann

When I got Diesel (dog) in January 2006, the monthly insurance premium (M&S) was

 

[AnnM1]

Last time I was in the vets the lady in front of " see your cat dosen't like coming here" not as much as I do I replied. As I got the debit card out for