PetSmart Launches Online Pharmacy

Pet retailer PetSmart recently launched its own online-only pharmacy — PetSmart Pharmacy, which promises to offer customers convenience and low prices when it comes to ordering and auto-filling pet prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and prescription pet food.

How It Works

After obtaining a prescription from a veterinarian, the pet owner searches the PetSmart Pharmacy database and places the prescription order. Then, PetSmart pharmacists coordinate with the pet owner’s veterinarian to validate and fill the prescription.

PetSmart Pharmacy also offers home delivery, which means medications can be sent directly to pet owners if they choose. Prescriptions can be refilled and shipped automatically as well.

“We strive to be the trusted partner to pet parents and our online PetSmart Pharmacy is a natural extension as we look to provide the right products and services along with convenient options to meet pet parents’ needs,” said Ivy Chin, divisional senior vice president of digital for PetSmart.

PetSmart Pharmacy is fully licensed and certified and offers brand name and generic prescription and over-the-counter pet medications. In addition, the online pharmacy also offers several dog and cat vaccine options, such as flu, distemper and cough prevention.

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Competition

PetSmart is looking to capitalize on the growth of internet shopping by pet owners and grab a piece of the pet medication market, which is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2018.

So far, so good, according to the stock market. The stock of PetMed Express, another online pharmacy company also known as 1-800-PetMeds, plunged last week after PetSmart announced its new online pharmacy.

PetMed Express’s stock fell nearly 5.2 percent, continuing its downward trend after reaching an all-time high in July. PetMed Express was criticized in August for its online marketing tactics, with allegations that the company attempted to capitalize on the country’s opioid epidemic by aggressively promoting the drugs tramadol and gabapentin. PetSmart Pharmacy has stated that it will not offer pet opiates as part of its product offering.