• Hero Banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

The VHMA Files: Online pharmacies

November 1, 2014
Christine Shupe

Is your practice ready to compete?

In a monthly Management Survey, VHMA asked managers if their practice has created an online pharmacy to address declining pharmacy revenues attributed to competition from large, online pet pharmacies. Many of the 271 respondents (56 percent), stated that their practice had established an online pharmacy. The remaining 44 percent indicated that their practice doesn't have an online pharmacy.

But a closer look shows most respondents say their online pharmacy accounts for less than $6,000 a year in income. (See the chart above for monthly revenue reported.) Clearly practice-run supply and pharmaceutical stores haven't been commonly integrated into a practice's services. Or, if they have, they have been slow to produce results. 

Less than 15 percent of respondents who have adopted online pharmacies are generating revenue of more than $12,000 per year. Accounts from VHMA members suggest that some business decisions tend to contribute to more successful online pharmacies. 

For example, several practices with healthy revenues report they have partnered with services that offer group purchasing plans for veterinary clinics, which help to defray upfront product costs. Some vendors even offer assistance to practices to ensure improved services.

Advertisement

“Pharmaceutical companies offer significant rebates and promotions for many products, some just for veterinary hospitals,” Brian Conrad, CVPM, VHMA vice president, says. “If you think you can't compete, think again. I see so many clinics choose not to participate and remain oblivious to client discounts they could offer-for free.”

Others recommend that practices create a professional online pharmacy website with adequate information to attract clients. The online store shouldn't be an afterthought on the website. It should be informative, easy to use and easy to find.

The online pharmacy as an extension of a practice's services is not new but has not gained significant momentum. It's certainly an area that is poised for growth as practice managers investigate the tools and resources available.  

Christine Shupe, CAE, is the executive director of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. The association is dedicated to serving professionals in veterinary management through education, certification and networking. 

Related Content:

Practice OperationsBusiness
CityVet Celina opens in Prosper, Texas
CityVet Celina opens in Prosper, Texas
Animal biomedical device company announces new senior technical services veterinarian
Animal biomedical device company announces new senior technical services veterinarian
Four ways to curb no shows
Four ways to curb no shows

Advertisement

Latest News

News wrap-up: This week’s headlines, plus Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine presents Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, with an honorary degree

Can our Pride panel answer these LGBTQ+ trivia questions?

Creating inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in vet med

Happy Pride Month, Hill's launches Prescription Diet ONC Care, and more

View More Latest News
Advertisement