Veterinarians must respond to over-the-counter shifts, new generic drugs
Accept that things change and let your pharmacy go. Or fight back.
The last couple of years have seen tremendous change for the veterinary profession in the arena of flea and tick control—and it's not over yet. One major manufacturer has taken its flea-and-tick product line over the counter, and another has seen a patent expire on a key ingredient, which has launched generic competition both over the counter and through veterinary-exclusive channels.
More in this package:
Has the availability of new generic and OTC flea-tick products affected your practice product sales?
How should you respond to generic and OTC developments?
Does your practice prescribe generic veterinary drugs for patients?
How should veterinarians respond to these developments? Experts have offered a range of opinions, including:
> Accept that things change and move on. Focus on services over product sales and don't waste your energy fighting the unavoidable.
> Don't give up product revenue without a fight. Make a strong recommendation for what's best for your patient, train your team to support your protocols, and emphasize the convenience of the client going home with the product in hand.
> Develop your own online pharmacy through one of several vendors in the industry, and keep your clients' business rather than allowing it to slip away to online consumer retailers.
> Support manufacturers that support the veterinary profession—i.e., companies that offer products specifically through practices, provide technical support, guarantee their products' quality, and work to find resolution if problems arise.
Only you can decide which strategy is best. In the shifting landscape of flea and tick control, the one constant you can rely on is that a parasite-free state is best for your patients and your clients, and you are uniquely equipped to make that happen.
More in this package:
Has the availability of new generic and OTC flea-tick products affected your practice product sales?
How should you respond to generic and OTC developments?
Does your practice prescribe generic veterinary drugs for patients?
