Puppers Drug Mart? Why some argue pharmacies should hand out pet meds

With the costs of pet ownership rising, the Competition Bureau sees an opportunity to drive down the prices of medication by expanding distribution to pharmacies.

Don’t be surprised if you’re stuck behind a chocolate lab, a Scottish fold and a guinea pig when you’re picking up cold medication at the pharmacy in the years ahead.

A push from the Competition Bureau would see the distribution of pet medications expanded beyond veterinarian offices in a move the competition watchdog claims could help to tame the surging costs of pet ownership.

“The issue is very relevant to Canadians because it impacts both their wallets as well as the well-being of their pets,” says Youssef Zine, one of the lead researchers behind the Competition Bureau’s efforts to widen distribution for pet meds.

The costs of owning a pet have ballooned in recent years, Zine and his colleagues pointed out in a report published this week. Statistics Canada data shows Canadian households collectively spent some $7.4 billion on pet foods and medications in 2022, up from $5.7 billion in 2019.

The costs of owning a single dog or cat can rise to thousands of dollars per year for the average household.

The Competition Bureau said inflation and shortages of veterinarians are contributing to the rising prices for pet owners, but so too is a lack of competitive forces in the industry.

Zine argues that pet parents could save money by disrupting the current model that sees the majority of pet medications flow directly from the manufacturer to the distributor to the prescribing veterinarian.

“In our belief, this lack of market competition leads to higher prices and limited options, making it difficult for pet owners to find affordable and convenient options for their pet prescription,” he tells Global News.