Providing House calls to Pets
In the Morristown NJ Area
Ph. (973) 295-6454
Fax (973) 295-6453

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a warning on March 4, 2004 that counterfeit versions of Frontline and Frontline Top Spot were being sold over the Internet. Clients should be aware that Merial (the maker of Frontline) only sells its products to licensed veterinarians, and product sold by internet or catalog companies such as 1800PetMeds are gotten through non-approved or bootleg channels. In one case of counterfeit product, the product was being purchased in Europe and repackaged by the internet companies themselves. These products were not marketed for use in the United States. Clients are warned that counterfeit products may not have proper dosages, instruction leaflets, or childproof packaging

All major Pharmaceutical manufacturers maintain a strict policy of sales exclusively through licensed veterinarians. Products sold through the Internet are obtained through non-approved channels (i.e. bootleg). Manufacturers will not honor any guarantees on their products if they are purchased over the Internet. Pharmaceuticals manufactured and labeled for use in other countries have been diverted and sold through these internet discount houses. Purity, efficacy and proper storage conditions cannot be guaranteed.

Several of these internet houses have been cited by the FDA and State Boards of Pharmacy for violating prescribing procedures. PetMedExpress, (a.k.a. 1800PetMeds), in particular, was recently fined over $100,000.00 by the FDA and Florida Department of Health. They have also been sued by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Texas Pharmacy Board. California and New York have also recently announced class action lawsuits against PetMedExpress/ 1800PetMeds.

Internet prescription vendors have a reputation for poor customer service. Shipping charges, delays, mis-shipments and damaged products, make dealing with these businesses a hassle and often not worth the savings. There are no trained personnel available to help you utilize the product most efficiently.

If you want to purchase your products via the internet, please be advised that Dr. Johanson will write prescriptions according to the following guidelines:

• All state and federal prescribing laws apply. We must have a current (within one year) doctor-patient relationship.
• To preserve confidentiality, we will not communicate with the discount house. It is your responsibility to ensure that the prescription is sent, filled, labeled, shipped, and used correctly.
• We cannot be expected to take the responsibility to oversee this operation, and will not become involved in any product failures. There will be a fee for lost prescriptions.

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