Will my vet still treat my dog if I buy medication online?

Yes. You remain a patient of the practice. Vets are obliged under the RCVS Code of Conduct to provide care regardless of where you fill the prescription. From 23 September 2026 the CMA Order makes obstructing or discouraging the choice of pharmacy actively non-compliant.

Is the online medication actually the same?

Yes. UK VMD-approved online pharmacies dispense the same products in identical packaging, regulated by the same agency that regulates vet practice dispensaries. The product is identical.

What if I need the medication today?

Take it from the vet for today's dose. Then start the switch process for the next refill. The £21 prescription fee earns itself back in the first month for most chronic medications.

Can I do this for controlled drugs (phenobarbital, tramadol)?

Yes, but the written prescription has a 28-day validity window for controlled drugs. Order quickly. For most long-term epilepsy patients the lifetime saving is large; for short courses it is usually not worth the round trip.

Can I split a prescription across multiple pharmacies?

Most UK online pharmacies want the original (or scan) of the whole prescription. If a prescription authorises six refills, you can fill different refills at different pharmacies on subsequent months — useful when prices move.

What about price changes after I order?

Online pharmacy prices move every few weeks. Sign up for our monthly price alerts and we will email when your tracked medication drops. The same prescription can be re-filled at the next-cheapest pharmacy each cycle.

5 minutes · typical saving £400–£900/year

Switch your dog's medication online in 5 minutes.

Same medicine. Same regulator. Half the price. From 23 September 2026 every UK vet must offer a written prescription on request, capped at £21 + £12.50 per additional medicine. Here is the five-step path.

Check the saving

Run your dog's weight and current medication through the calculator. If the saving is less than the £21 prescription fee, do not bother. Most chronic dogs save it back in month one.

Dog weight (kg)Your vet's price per month (optional, £)

Typical vet price

£75.00–£110.00/mo

indicative UK range

Cheapest online

£139.84/mo

Pet Drugs Online

Annual saving

—

after £21 prescription fee: £0.00–£0.00

Based on a 15 kg dog, recommended strength: 3.6 mg. Assumes 12 months of continuous use (chronic dosing) and one written prescription per year. CMA Order caps the prescription fee at £21 for the first medicine, plus £12.50 per additional medicine on the same prescription. Prices are indicative and last verified 2026-05-15. Always confirm the current price on the pharmacy site before purchase.

Pharmacy	Pack	Pack price	Monthly cost	Buy
Pet Drugs Online VMD approved · Free over £39	30 tablets	£34.96	£139.84 Best value	Buy from Pet Drugs Online
Animed Direct VMD approved · Free over £29, next-day available	30 tablets	£36.86	£147.44	Buy from Animed Direct
VetUK VMD approved · Free over £29	30 tablets	£38.00	£152.00	Buy from VetUK
Hyperdrug VMD approved · Free over £35	30 tablets	£40.28	£161.12	Buy from Hyperdrug
PetMeds (Express Chemist) VMD approved · Free over £40	30 tablets	£42.56	£170.24	Buy from PetMeds (Express Chemist)

Showing Apoquel by default. Find your medication via the A–Z index or the multi-medication calculator.

Ask your vet for a written prescription

Email the practice. They must respond, and from 23 September 2026 they must offer this as standard. Bundle every chronic medicine onto one prescription to pay £21 + £12.50 per additional — not £21 each.

Subject: Written prescription request — [Dog's name]

Hi,

Could I please request a written prescription for [Dog's name]'s ongoing medication? Specifically:

  - [Medication 1] [strength] [dose]
  - [Medication 2] [strength] [dose]

Per the CMA Order's fee structure (£21 first medicine + £12.50 per additional), please bundle these onto a single prescription where appropriate. 6-month repeat authorisation if possible.

I'll arrange payment of the prescription fee at your convenience.

Many thanks,
[Your name]
Owner of [Dog's name], chipped [microchip number if known]

Replace the bracketed bits with your dog's name, microchip number and current medication. Send to the practice's general or admin email.

Order from the cheapest VMD-approved pharmacy

We rank by cheapest price, not commission. The medication pages list every VMD-approved UK pharmacy that stocks the product, sorted by per-month cost for your dog's weight. Pick the cheapest.

Or browse the full pharmacies list with delivery times and contact details for each VMD-approved pharmacy.

Send the prescription to the pharmacy

Two ways. Pick whichever your pharmacy accepts.

Upload (fastest)

Most UK online pharmacies accept a photo or PDF scan, then ask for the original in the post within 7 days. Order ships when the scan is reviewed (usually same day).

Animed Direct · Pet Drugs Online · VetUK · Hyperdrug all accept uploads.

Post the original

Some prefer a hard copy first. Adds 2–3 days to the first order. Subsequent refills are instant once the prescription is on file.

Always check the pharmacy's "How to send prescription" page before posting.

Set up your next refill (and price alerts)

Most UK prescriptions cover six months of repeat dispensing. Your pharmacy will usually email a refill prompt; you click and it ships. Prices move every few weeks though — sign up below to be alerted when your tracked medication drops.

FAQ

Will my vet still treat my dog if I buy medication online?: Yes. You remain a patient of the practice. Vets are obliged under the RCVS Code of Conduct to provide care regardless of where you fill the prescription. From 23 September 2026 the CMA Order makes obstructing or discouraging the choice of pharmacy actively non-compliant.
Is the online medication actually the same?: Yes. UK VMD-approved online pharmacies dispense the same products in identical packaging, regulated by the same agency that regulates vet practice dispensaries. The product is identical.
What if I need the medication today?: Take it from the vet for today's dose. Then start the switch process for the next refill. The £21 prescription fee earns itself back in the first month for most chronic medications.
Can I do this for controlled drugs (phenobarbital, tramadol)?: Yes, but the written prescription has a 28-day validity window for controlled drugs. Order quickly. For most long-term epilepsy patients the lifetime saving is large; for short courses it is usually not worth the round trip.
Can I split a prescription across multiple pharmacies?: Most UK online pharmacies want the original (or scan) of the whole prescription. If a prescription authorises six refills, you can fill different refills at different pharmacies on subsequent months — useful when prices move.
What about price changes after I order?: Online pharmacy prices move every few weeks. Sign up for our monthly price alerts and we will email when your tracked medication drops. The same prescription can be re-filled at the next-cheapest pharmacy each cycle.