Petco and Express Scripts announce online pharmacy alliance

New partnership promises dog and cat owners access to their pets prescription medications from their homes.

Petco's new online pharmacy service lets pet owners get prescription drugs delivered to their door. Petco has joined forces with Express Scripts to offer the owners of dogs and cats online pharmacy services through its websites, petco.com and petcoach.co, according to a Petco release. The news comes less than a week after the pet specialty retailer's announcement that it will soon ban pet foods and treats with certain artificial ingredients.

According to the release, Express Scripts dispenses more than 100 million human prescriptions every year with 99.9 percent accuracy-a feat made possible in part by the company's automated pharmacy technology, tamper-proof packaging and weather algorithms.

"By leveraging the industry-leading technology and fulfillment processes Express Scripts already has in place, we're able to offer pet parents an easier, more affordable, faster and more convenient way to get the medicines their pets need,” says Petco's chief innovation and digital experience officer, Brock Weatherup, in the release.

While Petco sells products for small pets, fish, reptiles and birds, its online pharmacy currently caters to dogs and cats only. Once the pet retailer confirms a pet's prescription with its veterinarian, the medication is shipped to the pet owner's door within 24 to 48 hours. Petco's online pharmacy service also offers a price-match guarantee, and ordering can be done through the retailer's website or app.

To learn more, visit petco.com/pharmacy.