The Competition Bureau is recommending that the distribution of pet medications be expanded beyond veterinarian offices to help lower the surging costs of pet ownership. Statistics Canada data shows that Canadian households collectively spent over $7 billion on pet foods and medications in 2022. The Competition Bureau believes that the lack of competition in the industry is contributing to the rising prices for pet owners. They suggest that allowing pet parents to bring certain prescriptions from the vet to community pharmacies for filling could provide more affordable and convenient options.
This model is already in place in Quebec and in some specialized pharmacies in Ontario, where pet prescriptions can be filled outside of veterinarian offices. The CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association supports this model, likening it to the freedom that consumers have in choosing where to fill their own prescriptions for human medications. Dr. Tim Arthur of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association sees some potential benefits to this model, particularly for pet owners in remote or rural communities who may not have easy access to a veterinarian. Being able to fill prescriptions at a local pharmacy could improve access to care for these pet owners.
However, Dr. Arthur raises concerns about the quality of care for pets if filling prescriptions is taken out of veterinarians’ hands on a routine basis. Pharmacists may not have the same understanding of animal physiology as veterinarians do, which could lead to errors in dosage or interactions between medications. Educating pharmacists on how to handle pet medications and ensuring proper checks and balances in the system would be crucial. The competition watchdog believes that through increased competition, consumers will benefit from pricing and convenience, but they are not looking to replace veterinarians in the process.
While expanding the distribution of pet medications to pharmacies could potentially lead to cost savings on medications for pet owners, veterinarians are concerned about the impact on their revenue streams. Vets rely on pharmaceutical sales for about 10% of their income, and losing this revenue could force them to increase prices on other services to make up the difference. This could ultimately result in higher costs for pet owners in the long run. There are also concerns that this model could lead to some veterinarians in small towns deciding to close their practices, leaving communities without access to veterinary care.
Overall, the Competition Bureau’s goal is to give consumers more choice in the pet medication market in order to benefit both pet parents and their furry family members. While the proposed model could improve access to care for some pet owners, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the quality and safety of pet medications. It remains to be seen how this model will be implemented and whether it will ultimately lead to lower costs for pet owners while maintaining the quality of care for their pets.
