Pet Economics 101 On the front lines with Frontline (what’s really in that box?)

Let me first say that I‘m not one of those vets who denies her clients written prescriptions. Nor do I begrudge them a savings on products they can buy elsewhere for less. I do, however, have a problem with unscrupulous merchants who sell products that are diverted from the normal chain of distribution.

Here’s a story that illustrates my frustration on this:

Mrs. Savapenny arrives at the hospital complaining loudly that the Frontline product we recommended does not work at all. In fact, she was so sure it was useless she actually saved a drop and applied it to a flea she’d trapped in a flea comb. “It did the backstroke,” she quipped. “The flea was happy as can be.”

What am I supposed to do? Return her money?

When I offered to switch it for another product she quickly explained that she had not purchased it from our hospital: “I bought it online.” Nor, could she remember the name of the website, since she simply finds the least expensive Frontline seller and buys from whomever’s offering it cheapest on the day she needs it.

Turns out Mrs. Savapenny had been duped. When she later brought the product in for me to look at its interior packaging was not the right color and the foil label on the back of the standard Frontline ampules was not the manufacturer’s. I didn’t have to try the flea Olympics trick. The stuff was clearly not Frontline.

Of course, this was not the first time I’d dealt with sham products first hand. I’d once seen a major pet retailer’s version of a popular flea killer labeled “Australia,” as in, it first went to the South Pacific before said pet superstore purchased it in bulk off the foreign exchange.

Does that mean the product is bad? No, not necessarily at all. But it does speak to the issues we’re up against when we recommend products. Going outside the normal channels of distribution means there’s some risk for the end users: our pets.

No, this is not a cautionary tale devised to ensure I make more money in my profession. Indeed, my role is not that of pharmacist and I’m OK with losing this sideline income.

But when I recommend a product like Frontline I damn well want to be sure it’s exactly what it says it is. God knows I don’t need a cadre of clients like Mrs. Savapenny breathing hot fumes of Frontline discontent down my neck…especially when I know where she can get the good stuff…for eighty cents more.

July 25th, 2008

Add Comment19 Comments

Well.....so, did she apologize? I mean, what did she say when you explained this to her? I hope she ate a piece of humble pie.

There is an FDA site (escapes me at the moment) that has clear instructions on how to tell if you have a knock-off flea/tick preventative. It sounds like this lady was duped by a bad forgery and, not even a good one.

Creature of Habit July 25th, 2008 08:45:00 AM

Thank Goddess I haven't had to use that stuff in over five years. I realize it's a must in some parts of the country. The best flea contol I ever used was a dozen chickens patroling the yard!
http://217.154.68.186/pestnews/actives/fipronil.ht...

I get my hearworm meds from Canada. Value heart is the brand name ( generic ) Needing meds for 8 greyhounds is not cheap. I've yet to find a vet that can match the price. I also checked the company out before I ordered. A 6 month supply cost $160.00 including shipping. It would cost me $300.00 from my vet. But as with anything you need to do your homework.

Ken July 25th, 2008 08:49:00 AM

Maybe there should be a website with a list of the sham product sites? And the good ones?

Is there a place to report such things?

Stefani July 25th, 2008 09:57:00 AM

I've always wondered why companies like Merial don't put a unique identifier on each box of Frontline (and other products) that end consumers can enter into Merial's website to verify that the product is theirs and from which country it originates. They put batch numbers on, why not a unique identifier?

This would not solve the gray market problem by itself but it would enable pet owners to verify immediately, without opening the box, when a product was determined to not be legitimate and thus the company that sold it could be identified, notified, and perhaps "corrected"?

Alex July 25th, 2008 11:11:00 AM

Well,
I hate to burst your bubble, but frontline is NOT working on fleas like it used to....I begrudgingly have switched to revolution which I am not a fan of because of how it works, and it works better, but still not like frontline used to work.
my vet says he's seen an active decline in frontline's effect for the last few years...
so from online or the vet's office, in NJ, fleas have mutated....<lol>

LorriM July 25th, 2008 12:48:00 PM

LorriM: Resistance is another issue. But sometimes it's hard to tell what's resistance and what's product failure for other reasons. Makes me wonder whether some of what we consider resistance is forgery, instead.

As to product protection, the Fort Dodge people have pioneered individual ampule identification for safety. Too bad their product, ProMeris, doesn't seem to be panning out.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 25th, 2008 01:30:00 PM

It would save so much hassle if doctors could practice medicine and retailers practice retail, like with people medicine. I realize hawking things through the vet office subsidizes the medical practice, but it is still a shame. In the real world, a mass retailer should be able to offer better pricing than a boutique retail shop such as the typical vet practice.

Erich Riesenberg July 25th, 2008 05:04:00 PM

There's a risk with ANY drug purchased on-line (no matter what country!).

I wouldn't take the chance. Get the meds from your pharmacist or vet.

lola smiles July 25th, 2008 05:19:00 PM

This is really good to know. I called the Merial 1-800 number to try and verify if my Frontline was legit. These where some of the steps she had me go through. On the back left corner of the box there should be a Duluth GA address. Next to that it should say made in France. On the front of the box the weight should be in pounds. For example I have a dog so this Frontline plus is for dogs 89-132 lbs. She had me open the box, and make sure the lot number on the applicators where the same as the one on the side of the box with an exception of the last two letters. She then asked if there was an orange strip across the applicator package, which there was not. She told me it sounded as if it was the real stuff. She also recommended checking out the EPA web site, WWW.EPA.GOV. I have not done that yet, but I’ll let you know if I find anything.

Todd July 25th, 2008 06:09:00 PM

I found a link on the EPA website.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/enforce.nsf/2fb9887c3b...!OpenDocument

Todd July 25th, 2008 06:33:00 PM

well, I've seen first hand flea resistance. In legit frontline. But all frontline that comes from Australia isn't necessarily not legit either. But Merial is sending that "message"

The pricing needs to become more competitive so that the health of the animals can be front and foremost. I think it is ridiculous that other countries get better pricing. On any drugs human/pet alike...our system doesn't work on the drug front. IT's an issue that has needed reform for a long time.

LorriM July 25th, 2008 07:43:00 PM

I'm guessing my ongoing tick problem is in part Frontline resistance -- and part just a VERY good year for ticks here! And I know Frontline's legit: I forgot to order from KV so rushed over to my vet's when I realized I was out a couple weeks ago.

I hope it's not all resistance, because as much as my dogs swim it has been wonderful to have Frontline to keep the parasites at bay. Hate to lose that.

Gina Spadafori July 25th, 2008 08:29:00 PM

Meant to write: I know MY Frontline's legit ...

:)

Gina Spadafori July 25th, 2008 08:45:00 PM

On the tick front: Frontline will kill them but none too quickly. It makes them woozy and they do eventually drop off. Unfortunately, the Preventic collar (using the much stronger poison, Amitraz) does a better job for serious infestations. It's much cheaper, too.

And yes, I, too, buy the resistance line. That's why I'm using a lot of Comfortis this year.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 26th, 2008 07:17:00 AM

I found my first tick a week ago (spot the foreigner). I pulled it off the dog before even thinking, is that the wrong thing to do? My dog is on an oral for fleas/ticks/heartworm etc and is healthy. I am just wondering if I should leave the drugs to get ticks or deal with them myself which might potentially leave 'bits' of the tick still attached?

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