Are You Paying Too Much for Pet Meds?
Save 57%* when you buy prescription drugs online with Perfect Pet and Hyperdrug
As highlighted in recent investigations, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that buying your pet’s prescription medications from your vet can often cost more than purchasing them online.
In this discussion, Natalie and Tom explain why some pet owners may end up paying more for prescription medications than they would if they used a cheaper option, such as an online pet drugs pharmacy.
Why Are Prescription Meds Cheaper through an Online Pharmacy?
Vet Tom explains:
“Simply put, buying medication from an online pet meds pharmacy can help to save you money. This is because they can buy in bulk and have fewer overheads than a veterinary practice, so can offer you a much more competitive price.”
How Much Can I Save if I buy from a Reputable Online Pharmacy?
Shopping around can certainly help you save money on your pet’s prescription medications.
The CMA’s findings revealed that 38%‡ of vet practice clients didn’t know they could request a prescription from their vet to buy medication elsewhere‡.
Managing Director Natalie Surtees adds:
“Awareness of online pharmacies remains low. 38%* of people surveyed were unaware of them, and even among those who are, more than a third (36%^) doubt the effectiveness of the medication.
Our collaboration with Hyperdrug enables customers to save up to 57%* on their pet’s prescription medications. We selected them for their trusted products, dependable delivery, and excellent service. This partnership helps pet owners protect their insurance coverage while maintaining the highest standard of care for their pets.”
Here at Perfect Pet, we want to make sure the pack gets access to quality, trusted medication at great prices, straight to your door.
Saving on prescription costs is one part of managing your pet’s healthcare budget. Making sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to is another. Our guide on how to get the most out of your pet insurance policy covers practical steps for keeping records, understanding your excess, and ensuring you never miss a valid claim.
If you’re unsure what you should be paying for cover in the first place, our breakdown of pet insurance costs in the UK covers monthly premiums by breed, age, and policy type, so you can see where your money goes before you start looking at where to save on meds.”
What If My Pet Needs Medication Straight Away?
Vet Tom clarifies:
“If your pet suddenly falls ill and requires medication, then the treatment should be supplied by your vet there and then. If your pet requires longer-term medication, then have an open conversation with your vet about written prescriptions. If the CMA remedies go ahead, written prescriptions will become much more common within vet practices.”
Medication costs are one component of the broader financial picture of dog ownership. For a full breakdown of what veterinary treatment typically costs and how to plan for unexpected bills, our guide to vet fees for dogs covers consultation charges, diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, and ongoing prescription costs across different life stages.
Unexpected vet bills for chronic conditions, ongoing medications, and specialist consultations add up quickly. A dog insurance policy that covers prescription treatments means you can focus on getting the right medication for your pet without worrying about the cost of long-term care.
What Should I Look Out for When Buying Pet Meds?
Always ensure you buy prescription medications from licensed and accredited sources.
Recent reports have highlighted the risks of counterfeit drugs from unverified sellers.
Customers buying pet supplements online fell victim to fake products being sold on Amazon, a story later featured on BBC Morning Live.
Never Buy Pet Medications From:
- Unlicensed online sellers
- Local marketplaces or classified sites
- Sources that cannot demonstrate regulatory approval
These practices are illegal and dangerous, as medications may have been stored incorrectly or tampered with, compromising their safety and effectiveness.
Always Look For:
- Proper licensure and accreditation
- Clear product labelling and batch information
- Trusted pharmacies with verified compliance
Good to know – Look for the VMD accredited retailer logo which means the online pet pharmacy is under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS), this helps ensure that your pet’s medicines are safe and legitimate.
Any authorised product will carry a VMD authorisation, and you can look for this as it’s a number starting with ‘Vm.’
Retailers selling certain prescription or restricted medicines must be registered with the VMD and follow strict rules for how those products are sold online.
Protect your pet – and your peace of mind – by only purchasing prescription medications from trusted, accredited sources.
Sources:
^VETERINARY SERVICES FOR HOUSEHOLD PETS Provisional decision report: Part A– Page 194, section 11.35
**VETERINARY SERVICES FOR HOUSEHOLD PETS Provisional decision report: Part A– Page 51, section 3.35
‡VETERINARY SERVICES FOR HOUSEHOLD PETS Provisional decision report: Part B – Page 132, section 5.12
* We compared the cost of purchasing the most frequently prescribed medications for treating common chronic medical disorders from 20 UK veterinary practices against purchasing from Hyperdrug with our additional 5% discount (based on claims data from Jul-Aug 2025).
Medication costs add up over a long condition, which is where the pet insurance options at Perfect Pet are worth a look.
