Our Pet’s Health is community-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (learn more).
As pet parents, we're always seeking the best care and treatment options for our furry family members. And it's exciting when new drugs and treatments are introduced, promising better health and easier administration for our pets.
But, what happens when these new drugs come with a staggering price tag that makes them nearly inaccessible for many?
In this episode of the Call the Vet Show, veterinarian Dr. Alex dives deep into the surprising and frustrating reality behind new veterinary drugs, exposing the hidden costs and regulatory hurdles that make essential treatments unaffordable for countless pet owners.
Join us as we uncover the truth and discuss ways to navigate this complex issue to ensure our pets get the care they deserve.
“These new treatments, they’re just ramping up that minimum cost to treat all manner of diseases, especially all manner of chronic diseases. And as a result, pricing actually a huge number of animals and a huge number of pet parents just like you out of their ability to treat conditions that maybe previously would have been affordable.
And that, in my view, is simply unacceptable.”
A New Drug That Sparked Outrage
Recently, a new drug was released that was supposed to be a game-changer in treating hypertension in cats. The active ingredient in this medication is amlodipine, a drug we've been using for years to manage high blood pressure in cats. On the surface, you might think my frustration stems from this drug being unsafe, having unacceptable side effects, or just not working well. However, that’s not the case. The issue lies in its price.
The Price Conundrum
This new veterinary-licensed drug costs about $94 per month to treat an average-sized cat. Comparatively, a human version of amlodipine costs around $27 for a month's supply (28 tablets). Given that cats generally require just a quarter of a tablet, one box of human amlodipine can last for four months. So, why the massive price difference?
Sure, the veterinary version may have slight modifications like a palatable coating, but does that justify the price jump to $3.10 per day from what could be just about 24¢ per day using the human version? This disparity raises the question: are these minimal changes worth such a dramatic increase in cost?
Examples from Other Drugs
Amlodipine isn’t the only drug affected by this issue. Take furosemide, for example. This medication, commonly used to treat heart disease in dogs, is another prime example. The veterinary-specific version costs approximately 68¢ per tablet, whereas the human version is significantly cheaper at $4 for 28 tablets.
Another drug plagued by inflated prices is clomipramine, used for behavioral issues like anxiety and phobias. The veterinary version, Clomicon, costs around $4.88 per tablet, while the human version costs about $1.02. Again, the differences between the two versions—like tablet versus capsule, size, or formulation—hardly justify the price hike.
Understanding the Prescribing Cascade
As a veterinarian, I am bound to adhere to the prescribing cascade, which prioritizes using drugs that are specifically licensed for the animal species and condition at hand. Only when no such veterinary-specific drug exists can we consider using an off-label human medication. This process was designed with the best intentions but inadvertently gives pharmaceutical companies a blank check to impose astronomical prices.
Pharmaceutical companies understand this system all too well and use it to their financial advantage. They slap a picture of a dog or cat on the medication box and maybe add a coating or change the formulation slightly while hiking up the price exponentially. In theory, these changes are made to improve the ease of administration, but is that worth pricing out so many pet parents?
The Real Impact on Pet Owners
These inflated prices place a heavy burden on pet parents, especially those dealing with chronic conditions requiring long-term medication. Many families find themselves in the heartbreaking position of having to choose between affording essential medications for their pets and other necessary expenses.
Moreover, in today’s economic climate, these choices are becoming even more difficult. The reality is that many pets may go untreated for conditions that could easily be managed with the more affordable human versions of these drugs.
Why This Is Unacceptable
The bottom line is that these new veterinary formulations are ramping up the minimum cost to treat all sorts of diseases. This practice prices out a huge number of animals and pet parents from being able to afford appropriate treatments. As someone who's devoted their life to animal health, I find this practice simply unacceptable.
Veterinary professionals should have the discretion to recommend the most cost-effective treatments based on the individual needs of the pet and the financial situation of their owners. Instead, we are legally bound to prescribe the veterinary version even when a cheaper and equally effective human version is available.
The Call for Change
I believe it's vital for pet parents to be informed about these issues. There's already a lot of villainization of veterinarians and veterinary staff, often unjustly. We are here to help you and your pets in sometimes very challenging circumstances. However, systemic issues like these high drug prices limit our ability to provide the best care at an affordable cost.
By raising awareness, we can collectively push for changes that make veterinary care more accessible. Pharmaceutical companies need to reevaluate their pricing strategies and prioritize the well-being of animals and their families over profits.
Find out just how broken the pet health industry is.
Subscribe to the Call The Vet Show to ensure that you never miss a future episode!