Rip off: Some vets are charging 500% more for pet medicene than high street stores (stock picture)Vets have been accused of overcharging for pet medicine, in some cases by more than 500 per cent.
Buying the same medicines online or in High Street stores is half the price on average, research reveals.
Marketing group The Best Organisation compared the costs of best-sellers including flea control treatments and worming tablets, anti-stress medicine, eye drops and animal nutrition supplements.
A six-pack of Frontline flea tablets is currently available online from as little as £16.33, while the same product is sold in veterinary practices for up to £38.95.
Similarly, 3.5g of Optimmune eye ointment is available online for £23.86, while a practice in North London charges £59.50.
Asda currently offers a six-pack of flea treatment for £25, while prices for the same medication at vets range from £32.20 to £59.81.
Andrew Evans, of online veterinary pharmacy Vet-Medic, said: ‘This research offers huge insight into the pricing structures of pet medication.
‘When we commissioned the research to help us keep our own pricing competitive, we made an assumption that online shopping should come out cheaper but were staggered by how much.’
Harvey Locke, president-elect of the British Veterinary Association, described the accusations of price inflating as ‘unfair’.
He said: ‘Veterinary practices will mark up the cost of the medicines they supply in order to cover the costs of keeping and dispensing them.’
source: dailymail
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