Vet Prescription Filled at Local Chemist - Less than Quarter of Cost

• 

  theHMASfriendship on 06/07/2018 - 11:19

  Cool.

• 

  CMH on 06/07/2018 - 11:25

  Yes, a vet's prescription is valid at a pharmacy.

  The doses are quite interesting and gives us something to talk about, but in some rare cases the medication might be hard to get (especially if the medication is no longer prescribed for humans). Very very rare though.

  It will be cheaper at a pharmacy, BUT it will not be covered by PBS.

  • 

    salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 11:29

    It will be cheaper at a pharmacy

    Find a vet that works at a farm, animal shelter, zoo or any other place with lots of animals … they can probably get the drugs at half the price of a human pharmacy.

    If your pet happens to need some steriods, make sure you buy some extra and sell them at your local gym for some extra profit.

• 

  salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 11:27

  My GP only charges $15 for a repeat prescription so the vet's $22 is more than I expected

  Your GP probably bills medicare another $37 for that repeat prescription. Maybe adjust your expectations about what the vet is charging.

  Our dog has been on Neurontin pain killers for 12 months at $36 for 30

  Has anyone discussed the long term use of pain killers to treat chronic conditions with you? Either the pharmacist or vet … if you really care about your dog, you probably want to get him off them quick smart.

  • 

    chami on 06/07/2018 - 11:41

    Yes, I know, the dog has arthritis. She has a blood test for kidney failure every 6 months for $190.
    Anyone know where I can get a cheap blood test for dogs!!

    • 

      salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 12:00

      She has a blood test for kidney failure every 6 months for $190

      What's the breakdown between the vet/nurse fees for collecting the sample vs the lab fees for doing the test? Does the dog need to be sedated or something to collect the blood? Seems ridiculously expensive - guessing a human blood test for the same would be a lot less.

      Anyone know where I can get a cheap blood test for dogs!!

      Look for a vet with a larger practice … domestic animal practices are rife for ripping off customers.

• 

  Diji1 on 06/07/2018 - 11:34

  BUT it will not be covered by PBS

  Are you sure? Many medicines are partially paid for by PBS even if the person buying them has no concession.

  • 

    salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 12:02

    Many medicines are partially paid for by PBS even if the person buying them has no concession.

    Where did you get that from? Many medicines aren't actually on the PBS, because their unsubsidized cost is less than $39.50.

    • 

      CMH on 06/07/2018 - 16:27

      Many medications are still considered under the PBS even if it cost less than $39.50, and unsubsidized.

      This bit of information makes no difference to most people. However for those on A LOT of medications, it means when they reach a certain amount spent on unsubsidized (and subsidized $39.50 prescriptions) they get put on a safety net card and all their subsidized prescriptions from then on costs $6.40 (or $5.40 in certain pharmacies)

      Of course if you've got a concession card, all prescriptions (with exceptions) will cost you $6.40 (or $5.40 ^^).

      Again, all vet prescriptions aren't covered, and you pay full unsubsidized price regardless.

      • 

        salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 18:25

        Many medications are still considered under the PBS even if it cost less than $39.50, and unsubsidized.

        What's an example of a medicine that costs less than $39.50 and is still considered on the PBS and counts towards your medicare safety net? Pretty sure basic antibiotics aren't in this category.

      • 

        CMH on 06/07/2018 - 19:23

        +1

        @salmon123:

        First, you have to understand that there's prescribing rules for all medications. A medication will be covered by the PBS if it meets certain criteria (ie Painkiller A is covered for broken bones but not for arthritis). The doctor is the one that decides if you meet that criteria, not the pharmacist.

        Now, plenty of medication costs less than $39.50 and still considered on the PBS. Basic antibiotics (if it meets the prescribing criteria. Some basic antibiotics may be used for other reasons which will not be covered) is covered. Generally. And they usually cost less than $20.00.

        Most medications for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes (there's a whole lot more, I can't list everything) are covered by the PBS.

        But you need to spend $1,521.80 (not including brand surcharges or private prescriptions) on PBS covered medications to reach your safety net. This amount is correct for 2018, and everything resets at the start of each calendar year (1st of January).

        I feel like I should start an AMA….

      • 

        salmon123 on 07/07/2018 - 00:20

        @CMH:

        So getting back on point, I think what you're trying to say is that even un-subsidized medications count towards the medicare safety net and they become 100% subsidized once you reach the medicare safety net, as long as they're on the PBS schedule.

        That's a little different to @Diji1's statement "Many medicines are partially paid for by PBS even if the person buying them has no concession."

        Sure, they'll get subsidised, once you reach the safety net … so the OP just has to start calling her b*tch 'Ms Chami' and get her to GP write the scripts, so they qualify for the safety net sooner.

      • 

        CMH on 07/07/2018 - 00:37

        @salmon123:

        I'd like to clarify that PBS is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which decides which drugs get subsidized.
        As opposed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which decides which drugs are sold in Australia.

        The PBS does not pay a cent towards any medication that is not subsidized (costs less than $39.50).

        Now, your statement

        Many medicines aren't actually on the PBS, because their unsubsidized cost is less than $39.50.

        Is wrong because they ARE on the PBS even if unsubsidized due to their cost.

        His statement

        Many medicines are partially paid for by PBS even if the person buying them has no concession.

        Is technically correct, if you interpret the word "many" as more than "few". There are many medicines that are partially paid for by PBS (lots of asthma medications for example tend to be over the $39.50 cap). If he replaced the word "many" with "majority of" then I'd say he's wrong.

  • 

    CMH on 06/07/2018 - 16:21

    100% sure medications dispensed on a vet's prescription pad will not be covered by PBS.

    Note this does not mean it will cost more than $39.50, it just means that if it does, it will not be capped at $39.50.

    I've seen a script from a vet for some meds that cost $250 before, so…

• 

  GG57 on 06/07/2018 - 11:37

  Interesting post; I certainly didn't know that.
  What about other pet-related services that could be provided by others? I do know of a hairdresser in a salon in Toorak (Melbourne) that also has a dog-grooming business (not the same premises). Not sure which makes the more money.
  And there are certainly plenty of pet food delivery businesses, but I haven't noticed UberEats or similar deliveries? Depends what you feed them I suppose.

• 

  salmon123 on 06/07/2018 - 12:04

  +1

  I can get an awesome deal on Cialis and Viagra … just need to check my spam folder for an email from the Canadian pharmacy.

  PM me, if your dog needs some of that!