Is It Safe to Buy Pet Prescriptions Online?

Buying your pet's prescriptions online is a quick and simple way to get the medications your pet needs, and with the rise in veterinary treatment costs, buying pet meds online is becoming a popular alternative for pet parents across the UK.

But are online pet pharmacies safe? And how can you tell the good from the bad?

In this guide, we explain how to safely buy pet medications online, from how to get a pet prescription to how to order pet medications online.

Key Takeaways:

• Buying pet prescriptions online is perfectly safe so long as you choose a trusted and accredited retailer like Pet Drugs Online. 

• Only buy prescription pet medications from VMR-compliant retailers you can find in the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS)

• Buying pet medications from unverified retailers can jeopardise your personal data or your pet's health, with a rise in recent reports of fake medicines poisoning pets.

How Do Pet Prescriptions Work?

A pet prescription is a legal document with written instructions from your vet for any prescription-only medications they need to take.

They work much the same way as human prescriptions; if your pet is unwell, you take them to be examined by your vet, who decides if they need medication. If they do, your vet will dispense the medication for you, or you can ask for a written prescription to use elsewhere. 

For a pet prescription to be valid, it must contain: 

• The name of the medication needed

• The amount of medication to be supplied

• The dosage for the medication

• Details about the intended animal 

• A date and signature from the prescribing vet

• Whether the prescription is a repeat or a one-off

A valid pet prescription is mandatory for anyone who wants to buy pet prescription medications online.

Can You Buy Pet Prescription Meds Online? 

Yes, you can absolutely buy your pet's prescription medication online. That was the founding premise for Pet Drugs Online: to make prescription meds for pets more accessible and affordable for people in the UK. 

If you take your pet to the vets and they prescribe medications, you have two options: 

• Buy your pet's prescription meds from the vet there and then.

• Ask for a written prescription so you can buy your pet's medications elsewhere. 

There are instances where asking for a written prescription will not be suitable (such as if your pet needs immediate treatment), but for non-emergency meds and repeat prescriptions, buying online could save you money in the long run. 

Is it Safe to Buy Pet Prescriptions Online?

Buying pet medications online can be perfectly safe so long as you choose a trusted, verified, and accredited retailer like Pet Drugs Online.

Of course, there are always going to be people on the internet with ill intentions, and the sale of fake medicines is not unheard of. To ensure the safety of your pet and the protection of your personal data, always do your due diligence when shopping online.

The key things to look for when deciding if a veterinary retailer is legitimate or not are the following on their website:

• RCVS Registration Number

• VMD Accreditation Number

We always have our accreditations displayed to show that we comply with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, and that all sales of veterinary medicines are overseen by our Responsible Qualified Person, also known as our head vet, Dr Page-Jones.

"When purchasing veterinary medicines online, make sure you buy from a VMD registered internet retailer of veterinary medicines. Reputable businesses will always source genuine UK-licenced veterinary medicines that are safe to use for you and your pet."

Sarah Page-Jones

BVSc MBA CertSAS PhD MRCVS

Veterinary Medicines Directorate Accreditation

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that authorises veterinary medicines and monitors their quality and safety even after they’ve been signed off. 

In 2012, the VMD launched their Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS), allowing you to see whether an online pet pharmacy complies with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Once a retailer has been accredited, they are given their AIRS number, which you can verify at GOV.UK.

Accredited Online Internet Retailers typically have their VMD Accreditation readily available on their site, along with their AIRS number.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Registration

As with human medicines, veterinary medicines are split into categories, which determine the level of RQP (Registered Qualified Persons) necessary to supply them. Online pet pharmacies regulated by the VMD Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme must have an RCVS-registered vet on-site to check all prescription medication orders. 

You can see whether the site you’re on is registered with the RCVS by searching the premises name or their RCVS registration number in the correct RCVS Database. 

How to Order Pet Medications Online

Buying your pet's prescription online from Pet Drugs Online couldn't be easier! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Get Your Prescription

You cannot purchase prescription medicines online or anywhere else without a valid prescription written by a vet after your pet has been examined. Once this has happened, you can ask your vet to write you a prescription that can be dispensed elsewhere. This usually incurs a charge that varies with each clinic, so please make sure to ask beforehand. 

2. Place Your Order on Pet Drugs Online

Once you’ve got your pet’s prescription, you can search for your pet's medication on the Pet Drugs Online site. Make sure to follow the prescription precisely to ensure you choose the right medicine in the correct dosage, or else we won't be able to dispense your medication, leading to delays in your order. 

When buying medications, you must make an account with us and fill in your pet’s details. This is so we can ensure the medicines you’ve picked are suitable for your pet. Then, continue through the checkout. 

3. Send Us Your Prescription

You will be prompted to assign a pet to the products in your basket at checkout. You will then be given two options: 

1. Upload a picture of your prescription now

2. Send your prescription to us later. (By email, post, or fax)

Please note that when choosing to send your prescription later, your order may take longer to process than the advisory 2 days. This is because we are unable to process any orders for prescription medications until the prescription has been checked by our team.  

4. Let Us Do The Rest

Once you’ve placed your order and sent us your prescription, all that’s left is to sit back and relax. Our team will verify the authenticity of your prescription and ensure you’re getting the right medicines in the right amount for your pet before dispatching your order.

Need More Help? 

Is Pet Drugs Online Legit? 

Yes! Pet Drugs Online is a legitimate and trusted accredited online veterinary retailer founded in 2005. But don't just take our word for it! 

Check out the latest Pet Drugs Online Reviews and see what pet owners like you think of shopping at Pet Drugs Online. 

How Long Does a Pet Prescription Last? 

How long a pet prescription is valid depends on the type of prescription. 

• For acute (short-term) treatment - Valid for 6 months from date of issue

• For Chronic (long-term) treatment - Valid for 6 months from the date of issue OR up to 1 year if the maximum amount is reached. 

We explain how long prescriptions are valid on our prescription information page. 

Can I Buy Pet Medication Without a Vet Prescription? 

No. Pet medications that are specified as prescription only (such as antibiotics, pain releif, and much more) can only be purchased with a valid prescription from a vet. 

Do not buy from retailers claiming to sell prescription products without needing a prescription. Instead, report the retailer anonymously to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate 

How Much is a Pet Prescription

If you ask your vet for a written prescription to use elsewhere, this will incur a charge. This is outlined in section 9.27 of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, which states, "veterinary surgeons may make a reasonable charge for written prescriptions."

We know that "a reasonable charge" isn't very specific, but the cost for written prescriptions differs per veterinary surgery. According to Vet Help Direct, "the price of a written prescription varies between £12 and £31.09 with an average cost of £21.29," in the UK as of 2024. 

Does Pet insurance cover prescriptions?

What is and is not covered by your pet insurance will depend on the supplier of your pet insurance and the policy taken. 

As a general rule, pet insurance can cover the cost of certain medications so long as they're prescribed for a condition covered by your policy. Always read your pet insurance policy documents before making a claim for prescription medicines. 

We hope this guide has given you the confidence to find a reputable veterinary retailer online.