How do I know the medications I buy online are safe?
We recommend buying only from government-accredited retailers. These have undergone thorough checks by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), ensuring the medication you purchase is safe and authentic, just like the medication you would receive from your vet.
You may find medications on other websites, but as qualified vets, we do not recommend purchasing from unaccredited retailers, online marketplaces, or auction platforms.
Sadly, 1 in 10 owners have purchased counterfeit medication online, and this is a risk we want to help you avoid.
What is the VMD?
The VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) is the government agency responsible for ensuring that pet medication is of high quality, safe, and effective.
What does VMD registered mean?
Purchasing from a pharmacy that is registered with the VMD ensures that the medication is safe and authentic. Accredited retailers must follow strict safety protocols so that you can trust your pet won't be put at risk. Look for the blue VMD badge to identify certified retailers. It looks like this:
What is an ‘independent’ pharmacy?
Independent pharmacies are small businesses, frequently owned by an independent veterinary practice or an individual vet, rather than being part of a larger chain.
They often provide a more personalised service, with greater flexibility and customer support. However, because they tend to be smaller operations, they might not appear as prominently in Google search results, so you may not know they exist.
Corporate-owned pharmacies, on the other hand, are part of larger groups, many of which also own veterinary practices. These pharmacies can offer a broader range of stock and may have more streamlined operations.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal choice whether you support independent or corporate-owned pharmacies.
If the pharmacy is listed on Petscribers, you can rest assured that it is government-approved. So, either way, the medication you purchase will be safe and authentic.