Wegmans opens prescription services to the family pet

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wegmans has expanded its pharmaceutical services to include the family pet, according a recent blog. 

The supermarket pharmacy is advertising the service as a cheaper alternative to the prices paid at the veterinarian for the same canine/feline pharmaceuticals. Using Heartgard Plus Chew as an example, Wegmans noted that the common vet pricing is $50.20. Wegmans sells the same prescription for $44.99 and a generic equivalent for $19.99. 

"Most common are drugs for heartworm, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by those for anxiety, diabetes, diuretics, ear, heart, hormones, intestinal parasites, thyroid, vitamin/supplements, digestion issues and obesity," Mary Ellen Burris, Wegmans SVP consumer affairs, wrote in her blog. Wegmans has posted a list of the most common prescriptions on its website. 

In addition to fielding pet prescriptions, Wegmans also allows patients to register their pets as dependents online, where they'll be able to check status of an order or see which prescriptions are on automated refill, for example. 

"When your pet is sick, you’re already anxious. With the potential savings on these medications, you’ve got one less thing to worry about," Burris concluded.