We asked our vet for a written prescription, they informed us that they will charge us 15.00 per medication to be written out on paper... even though we paid the vet to diagnose and treat our animal. I tell you, we have a dog in her palliative stage of life and our East End vet of 13 years is now demanding a charge for a written prescription. When they did call into the pharmacy once they only called in one month of meds. The pharmacy called and said "Is this right? It is a lot cheaper if you get a bit more you know." Our dog medications cost 140.00 a month. I wonder what they really cost? Posted by: Sara | Nov 28, 07 07:11 PM

I just watched your program on vets and the fees they charge. I noticed that you focused on the price of drugs and not the treatment. The price of treatment varies even more then drug prices. I have three large dogs and a cat and I travel forty five minutes to get to my vet. I don't live in a rural setting. I live in Halifax and there are probably 10 vets closer to me. The price for meds and treatment are drastically different at all of them. My vet has a small markup on drugs and I even buy an epi-pen for one of my dogs in the Drug store, as recommended by my vet because I am in that industry. The fees for one of the clinics is $65.00 per visit and my vet sometimes charges nothing. (next) Posted by: steven | Nov 28, 07 07:20 PM

I wish Marketplace would reveal the locations of the high and low prices. It would certainly help. Posted by: Irena | Nov 28, 07 08:16 PM

The lowest price is NOT the law, have we not learned that yet? Next you will be suggesting that we buy our pet drugs from China! What does the pharmacist know about tapazole for cats? NOTHING! They have no knowledge on side effects, safety, tolerance, administration and the follow up needed for this chemotherapy agent, your veterinarian DOES! We offer information, knowledge and compassion to our clients. Our products are purchased at the best prices possible for the clients and often from pharmacists. This was a most unbalanced show. The next time you should let the veterinarian speak, uninterrupted, if you would like some factual information! Posted by: Dr. Kelly-Leigh Thomas | Nov 28, 07 08:17 PM

I enjoyed your program very much. But why shouldn't Vets rip off the public? Oil companies, The banks, the Government, the whole world is geared on the all mighty Dollar. It's called greed. Posted by: Ronald Cooper | Nov 28, 07 08:33 PM

Any vet that justifies the high cost that they charge for drugs by telling us what do they know in a pharmacy is like the weasel justifying why he ate the chickens. Posted by: D Doyle | Nov 28, 07 09:50 PM

Is vet care etc. expensive? You bet. But before you hang the profession by the heels, you need to stop and consider what their COSTS are. Unlike human doctors, they have to purchase every stick of equipment in the clinic. They cannot run their patients into a government funded hospital to use the anesthetic machine, the x-ray machines, the ultrasounds, etc. We also complain bitterly about dental costs...and they are in the same position. That program was VERY one sided, and gave a very biased view of vets in general. Posted by: Cindy Ames | Nov 28, 07 11:06 PM

My doctor, I assume, does not profit from the prescriptions I get filled at my pharmacist. I trust him. Surely veterinarians should be as ethical as doctors. Posted by: Ronald Baker | Nov 29, 07 12:03 AM

I live in Moncton, NB. My first cat was diabetic. A pharmacist mixed a medication for her using people meds (she called a friend in Montreal for the recipe). When that no longer worked I changed vets and they taught me to give her injections of insulin which I bought at the pharmacy. Now one of my cats is hyperthyroidic. As I cannot give her a pill my vet calls a Compounding Pharmacist in the city who mixes a cream which I rub in her ear. It is only slightly over $30+tax and our vet calls it in with about 3 refills when necessary. I guess we have some good people. Posted by: Ev | Nov 29, 07 12:14 AM

I found your newscast typical of most that I have had the pleasure of having any "inside information" on. Can we say sensationalism, can we say one sided and entirely (OK , mostly) incorrect? I think we can. You have obviously just found the worst case scenarios and the worst possible "sources" and have "run with it". It is sad to see that "objectivity" is so sadly lacking in the media today. The drug mark-up that you speak of may seem like a lot (and in some cases more than others it is, though I don't think 250% is the average), but vets do have to make up costs somewhere. They can't, or most don't, charge what it actually should cost for surgery/diagnostics because if they did, the average person would not be able to afford it. For example, for a human to have a cruciate (ACL) repair, if they go to a private clinic, would cost them $4500 plus, I believe, a government subsidy. At my clinic it costs between $1500-$2000 depending on the size of the dog. (I'm talking Cadillac treatment here, with IV fluids, epidural, Constant Rate Infusion pain control, the works!) C-section: my clinic around $1000.00, hysterectomy cat/dog $150-200. Try calling the local hospital and asking how much they charge the government aka taxpayer for these procedures. Vets have to buy their own diagnostic equipment. If your doctor needs x-rays, a CT scan, an ECG, MRI, bloodwork, or if you need surgery, they send you to the hospital or a lab. Vets have to pay for all of this equipment themselves. It costs nearly $100,000.00 for a new x-ray machine nowadays. Do you think $50 an x-ray is going to pay that off anytime soon? NO, this is why some things have a bigger mark-up than others. Also, I so occasionally work on the front lines (aka reception) and let me tell you, the general public is not as naive as you paint them. I get nickeled and dimed about 40% of the time! You portrait a very narrow and biased view of the whole industry and quite honestly should be ashamed! Posted by: Janie | Nov 29, 07 01:02 AM

It's about time the gravy train stopped for this easy money maker. No work is done, just take it from one box, and move it to a shelf? Wow what a service. Thank you, my arms are broken. I could have never had something shipped to Canada. I don't care about your markups or your costs, comply and charge me for the REAL service. ACTUAL WORK, not moving stuff from one place to another. You charge for EFFORT, not playing games Posted by: Robert | Nov 29, 07 10:18 AM

Great show Marketplace. However, there was one point which I feel you really missed the mark on. Should vets be permitted to dispense drugs in the first place? Isn't it a blatant conflict of interest to have financial gain in putting your pet on medication? We would not allow MDs to do this. I always ask for a prescription and most times I am refused. The veterinary associations are self regulated with no venue for the pet's caregiver to lodge a complaint. I know: I sent a registered letter to the Newfoundland Veterinary Association a few years ago and they refused to even accept the letter. The CVMA said it was a provincial matter and they don't get involved. So in theory it sounds good but more safeguards need to be put in place on this profession to protect the public and our pets who can not speak for themselves. Posted by: nuts4dogs | Nov 29, 07 10:37 AM

Wow! I used to be a strong supporter of CBC because I believed that they told the news as it was, not a one sided story. My opinions have changed and I will now take everything I see on Marketplace with a grain of salt. It appeared to be American journalism at its best. I have taken my animals to my vet for years and I trust him because he will tell me when something is not necessary thereby saving me money. I also noted how you seemed to endorse one industry (pharmacy) while ripping apart another one (veterinarians). You call this journalism? Posted by: Jon | Nov 29, 07 04:00 PM

In your show, you mentioned a Quebec Pharmacist (Rene Cote), where many pet owners go to buy the Meds for their pets at much lower prices. Why isn`t that Pharmacist`s Name, Address & Phone number posted on this site ? It would help many pet owners and give a kick in the teeth to the Gouging Vets that over charge customers! If CBC went through the trouble to find all this info, then it`s only common sense that this info be posted here. Posted by: Norm | Nov 30, 07 09:09 AM

I appreciate my vet. She has taken care of my dog for 6 years. Her fees have always been reasonable until this summer. My dog had a reaction to heartworm meds and needed antibiotics etc. But it was also suggested that he could have some other abdominal issue and and an x-ray was recommended. I agreed (never thinking to ask the cost) and he had 2 x-rays taken. The cost was 200.00. WOW!! I'm an x-ray tech and I can order 3 boxes of film for that price, and there are 100 sheets of film per box! I realize that vets have to pay for their equipment and staff, but there is a cost to running a business. It shouldn't be placed solely on the client's shoulders. I don't mind paying for check-ups and meds, but if I ever need an x-ray for my dog again, I'll do it myself. Posted by: Cathe V | Dec 1, 07 08:32 PM

I found your program very one sided, and as a member of this profession I found it personally insulting. I myself own animals and I pay the costs when they get sick or need medication. When you went to the conference I found it interesting how you seemed to make the people you spoke to all agree with your point. Coincidence? I highly doubt the vets in attendance all agreed and were candid with you about how they love to raise the prices of the medications they prescribe. And when you met with the BCVMA representative you attacked him on camera, he hardly got to finish a sentence! Now as an investigative show you would think you would want to hear his answers. And isn't videotaping people without them knowing it illegal? As previous posters have stated, we have to pay for ALL the equipment used in the clinic, right down to the pens we use. The government does not help us. Who pays for the staff to further their education to better take care of your pets? Yep, that’s the practice owner. I personally would rather know that the people caring for my pet, whether it be for a simple check up or surgery know what they are doing and are fully qualified. Posted by: Dani | Dec 2, 07 06:45 PM

I was greatly disturbed by the comments of the BC Veterinarian Association's spokesperson, when he was explaining that consumers should know if they are being gouged or not by their vets. He also challenged "what business do you know that advertises their mark-up", well sir, in Ontario Pharmacists have to show their filling fees for each prescription, insurance brokers are obliged to disclose their commissions on every policy, lawyers report their breakdown of costs and the list goes on. Mostly as result of consumers feeling that they have been unfairly treated. Well I guess it's time for the Vets. They obviously don't have the inclination to self-regulate, based on that gentleman's callous remarks. It's a shame the government is our only moderator for fairness (lord knows they don't pretend to be experts in that arena) and that industry does not have the desire to do what is best for the consumer. No Hippocratic Oath here, based on the sales pitch at the veterinarian conference. Learning how to get more out of your client's pocket...really! Posted by: Diane Suski | Jan 6, 08 08:12 PM

I don't know how you think veterinarians can all charge the same prices when costs for buildings and labour are obviously much higher in some areas of the country than in others. I found your show very sensationalistic and completely one sided. Most people in this country are lucky enough to not have any idea of how much medical costs really are, so they seem to think they should pay nothing for their pet's medical costs either. Veterinarians bear the cost of the whole hospital, there is not government funding for buildings, equipment and wages. I think you forget that owning a pet is a luxury not a right, maybe if people feel they need to keep their pet alive at any cost they should consider purchasing private medical insurance, it is readily available. Posted by: Kate | Jan 9, 08 11:39 PM

I have to say. I have a totally different opinion and experience than the others left on your site. We have a Newfoundland dog,who for some time was having some problems with his hips. After months of taking our dog to the vet and many needless injections for what was not wrong with the dog. We asked the vet to do an x-ray to see what was really the trouble after all these expensive injections which did nothing for the dog. After the x-ray the vet informed us that the dog had hip dysplasia and would not get better without complete hip replacement. He prescribed us with Metacam (one of the drugs seen in your broadcast. AT $100.00 for a 10 day supply for the rest of the dog's life. Fine whatever it takes.... The dog did not get any better... Upon seeing your show , we got the prescription for the human version of Metacam, used for severe arthritis in adults. The dog is doing much better and its a little easier on the pocket book. I applaud you for bringing this to light. Posted by: conniemitchell | Jan 25, 08 01:50 PM