Survey shows scale of fake online meds problem

A new survey has suggested more than 1 in 10 owners are unknowingly buying fake medicines for their pets online*.

The survey – conducted by Seresto flea and tick control collar with 2,000 pet owners – also highlighted a further 12% of owners who believed they may have received fake pet medicines, but had not reported the fact.

Key findings

Key findings were:

• 1 in 10 pet owners have been conned into buying fake pet medicine.
• 87% of pet owners have purchased pet medicine from sites that have been known to sell counterfeit medicine.
• 62% of pet owners can’t even tell the difference, primarily due to tactics used by illegal traders.
• The VMD has removed more than 500 veterinary medicine listings from online marketplaces since April 2020.

Good idea

TV vet Rory Cowlam, on behalf of Seresto, said: “It saddens me there are those out there looking to take advantage of pet owners who are really just trying to take the best care of their pets.

“It is so important to think carefully about where you buy your pet medicines, and always check the retailer is accredited. Visiting the brand’s own website to find out where to buy safely is always a good idea.”

*Based on an independent survey of 2,000 UK dog and cat owners who have purchased a parasite treatment outside of the vet and online in the past 12 months, July 2020.