Pharmacy FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long will I need to wait for my pet's prescription to be filled and how will I know when it is ready for pickup?
- How do I refill my pet's prescription?
- What if I need refills and the veterinarian that saw your pet no longer works at Veterinary Specialty Hospital?
- How do I pay for my pet's medication?
- Can I fill my pet's prescriptions at my local pharmacy?
- Can I get a refund on prescriptions my pet did not take?
- How can I avoid running out of medications for my pet?
- Can prescriptions be mailed?
- Do you mail prescriptions out of state?
- Who do I contact if I believe there has been an error with my pet's medication?
- If a veterinarian who is not employed by VSH prescribes a drug for my pet, can I have it filled at VSH?
- What do I do if the medication that my pet takes is no longer available?
- Can I use drugs after the expiration date?
- Are OTC medications from pharmacies safe to give my pet?
- What should I do if my pet ingests my medication or more than the recommended dose of their own medication?
- How do I get rid of old medications?
How long will I need to wait for my pet’s prescription to be filled and how will I know when it is ready for pickup?
Medication orders can take up to 48 hours depending upon the availability of authorized refills, the need to contact your veterinarian, the volume of medication orders ahead of your request and the availability of the medication prescribed. Special orders for medications not included in the routine stock of the hospital and medications that must be compounded or formulated specifically for your pet will take longer to complete. A pharmacy technician will always call you at the phone number indicated in your medication order, or indicated in our records, to inform you that our medication order is complete or ready for pickup. Medications can also be mailed or shipped to you for a fee.
How do I refill my pet’s prescription?
If your veterinarian has authorized refills for your pet’s prescription you may call the pharmacy refill line (858) 875-7500 option 3 and request that it be filled again. The number of refills remaining on the prescription is noted on the bottom of the prescription label. If your veterinarian has not authorized refills for the medication, you may request that we contact the veterinarian for you. Your veterinarian will need to review the medication needs of your pet and authorize the number of refills they feel are necessary for your pet’s continued care. Refills that have been authorized by your veterinarian must be filled within 12 months of the original filling or last visit.
What if I need refills and the veterinarian that saw your pet no longer works at Veterinary Specialty Hospital?
If the veterinarian that has physically seen your animal is no longer employed by VSH, it is up to the discretion of the new veterinarian to either approve refills or ask to see the pet before continuing refills. By California state law, the veterinarian must have had a visit with you and your pet within the previous 12 months to prescribe medications for your pet.
How do I pay for my pet’s medication?
All medications are charged to your pet’s account. The reception staff located in the Client Services area is responsible for collecting all payment to your account. Unless other arrangements are made, payment for medications is required at the time the medication is received. If you have questions about the pharmacy charges you may contact the hospital administrator or call (858) 875-7500. As with any product, the cost to obtain medication is constantly changing and, consequently, medication prices are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to inform you of price changes, as they occur.
Can I fill my pet’s prescriptions at my local pharmacy?
If the medication is a human labeled drug it can be filled at your local pharmacy. Some medications approved only for use in animals (veterinary-labeled) and medications that require reformulation (compounding) into a specialized form may not be available form your local pharmacy. Your veterinarian will be able to help you understand your options for filling your pet’s prescriptions. If you prefer to use an outside pharmacy rather than having your prescription filled here at the hospital, please request a written prescription from your veterinarian. For prescriptions that have been filled at VSH initially, please verify that this medication is available at your local pharmacy before requesting that refills be transferred. If your pet’s prescription has refills, the pharmacy you select should call VSH Pharmacy at (858) 875-7500 directly to request a transfer of the prescription.
Can I get a refund on prescriptions my pet did not take?
California State Health Code forbids the resale of any prescription medication that has been dispensed from the hospital. Federal law also stipulates that any medications that leave the pharmacy may not be returned for reuse due to potential safety concerns that include, tampering, incorrect storage and contamination. In addition, VSH must dispose of medications that are unfit for use by means of secure, environmentally-sound disposal methods that are of significant cost to the hospital. The disposal of large volumes of returned drugs will increase hospital costs overall. Veterinary Specialty Hospital will not accept medications for return under any circumstances.
How can I avoid running out of medications for my pet?
Always check the label on your prescription to see if refills have been authorized. If you do not see refills listed, call the pharmacy at (858) 875-7500 option 3 request a refill. When no refills are authorized, your veterinarian must be contacted to authorize additional refills. The pharmacy staff will do this for you, but it may take additional time to complete your refill request. Do not wait until you are out of medication. Always check your supply before weekends, holidays and vacations. Mail and shipping service to and from the hospital is slower on and around holidays, especially in December. Please plan ahead for these times.
Can prescriptions be mailed?
We offer mail service for your pet’s prescriptions for a small fee. To assure appropriate storage conditions and safe delivery, medications that require refrigeration must be shipped using DHL, next-day delivery. Fees are subject to change without notice. Please check with the pharmacy staff when requesting that medication be mailed to you.
Do you mail prescriptions out of state?
We cannot legally mail your prescriptions out of state. It is best to find a local veterinarian and work with them to obtain the medication your pet needs if you have moved out of state. If you are planning a trip, for most medications, you may request a larger supply from us or your veterinarian prior to your trip.
Who do I contact if I believe there has been an error with my pet’s medication?
If your medication appears different or has changed in any way, it is always best to double check that the medication has been filled correctly. Typically, the change is due to a change in the manufacturer and your prescription bottle will indicate the change with a label stating, “This is the correct medication that has been prescribed, although the size and shape may appear different”. We work hard to assure that the medication errors do not occur, however, occasionally errors may happen. It is very important that you notify us immediately if you ever discover that we have made an error. We keep track of every reported error and use these reports to assure that we have instituted every corrective action possible to prevent an error in the future. If you suspect a problem or wish to verify your prescription with us, please call the Client Services staff at (858) 875-7500 and ask to speak with a pharmacy staff member to confirm that you have the correct medication.
If a veterinarian who is not employed by VSH prescribes a drug for my pet, can I have it filled at VSH?
No. We are not able to fill prescriptions written by anyone other than veterinarians employed at VSH. Your pet must have had an exam or visit with our VSH veterinarians within the previous 12 months. State and federal law mandates our policy on this matter. Prescriptions can only be filled by VSH pharmacy if they have been written by veterinarians currently employed by VSH and must befilled for patients currently being treated by one of our doctors.
What do I do if the medication that my pet takes is no longer available?
Medications can always be subject to availability problems due to changes in the prescription drug market, manufacturer availability and many other economic and regulatory issues. The pharmacy staff will work closely with our VSH veterinarian to help find an alternative medications or treatment to fit your pet’s treatment needs.
Can I use drugs after the expiration date?
Manufacturers assign expiration dates to drugs based on documented safety and stability studies of the drug in a particular dosage form. After the expiration date, it can be difficult to determine if the drug is active and safe. Some drugs, such astetracyclines, can degrade into potentially harmful substances beyond the assigned expiration date. We never recommend that drugs be used past the expiration date on the original container or medication label.
Are OTC medications from pharmacies safe to give my pet?
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be dangerous for your pet. Do not give over-the-counter medications or supplements to your pets without advice from your veterinarian.
What should I do if my pet ingests my medication or more than the recommended dose of their own medication?
It is very important that you quickly contact a veterinarian. There are many medications designed for safe use in humans that can be very toxic to animals (pain medications, anti-inflammatory medications, birth control pills). Our emergency department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can answer questions about medications your pet has taken.
How do I get rid of old medications?
The Office of National Drug Control Policy in conjunction with the Department ofHealth and Human Services and the Environment Protection Agency has issued consumer guidelines for the proper disposal of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. The consortium recommends that drugs be removed from their original packaging and mixed with an undesired substance, such as use coffee grounds or kitty litter, and placing them in impermeable, non-descriptcontainers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, prior to disposal. We urge you to take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs. San Diego and surrounding counties offer these programs. Information can be found at CalRecycle: Medication Waste Disposal or refer to the California Board of Pharmacy recommended disposal methods listed in this flyer.