From puppies to pet owners on a budget, we know dosing isn’t one-size-fits-all. When deciding between a 12-pack, 6-pack, or single dose of preventative medication, clients tend to factor in affordability, convenience, and what makes the most sense for their pet.
Whether improving compliance or driving revenue to your practice, a single-dose prescription has advantages for both you and your clients – and presents challenges, too.
So how do you know when a single-dose prescription is the best option for your client?
This article will answer:
- Who are the best clients for single-dose prescription?
- Why is Autoship important?
- What products are available for single-dose prescription?
- How to create a single-dose prescription
Who are the best clients for single-dose prescription?
Clients with pets in transitional weight phases
If you anticipate a patient outgrowing the weight-based strength of a medication from one month to the next, offer the client a single-dose prescription. In this instance, an Autoship refill is not recommended.
In-practice clients who purchase one dose
A 6- or 12-pack may be too expensive, or the client may want to test out a new preventative on the market. In either case, to avoid gaps in compliance, suggest a single-dose prescription with Autoship. Remind them that they will only be charged when each dose is shipped, and they can always request to change or cancel the prescription.
Clients who need that monthly reminder
For the client who may be forgetful or can't keep track of when they last dosed their pet, a single-dose Autoship prescription does the remembering for them when it simply arrives in the mail each month.
Clients who buy single-dose prescriptions from an outside pharmacy
This client loves convenience and is already taking advantage of a single-dose prescription through another online pharmacy. Ask them if they would consider transferring that single-dose prescription to your practice, and explain that your pricing is competitive, Autoship is available, and that your products come from an accredited pharmacy.
Why is Autoship important?
Single-dose Autoship (i.e. monthly recurring) prescriptions help to ensure your clients stay compliant with their pet’s medication and continue to purchase through your practice. Among the benefits for your clients:
Autoship is easy.
Clients can forget about rummaging through drawers searching for their pet’s meds. A single-dose prescription that arrives each month is their reminder that it’s time to treat!
Autoship is convenient.
Spreading payments out monthly makes paying easy, delivers peace of mind, and keeps clients loyal to the practice.
Autoship means better health.
Single-dose Autoship prescriptions have shown significant improvements in compliance, which is directly linked to better outcomes for patients.
Autoship in bundles!
Many clients love receiving their flea/tick and heartworm medication together, delivered monthly as a convenient dosing reminder. The Platform makes it easy to bundle those meds into one auto-shipment!
What products are available for single-dose prescription?
Products currently available for single-dose prescription through Covetrus:
- Heartgard
- NexGard
- Interceptor Plus
- Interceptor
- Trifexis
- Credelio
- Bravecto
- Sentinel
- Sentinel Spectrum
- Iverhart Max Soft Chew
- Iverhart Plus
- Advantage Multi (Dog/Cat)
- Vectra 3D
- Vectra
- Tri-Heart Plus
- Comfortis
- Revolution (Dog/Cat)
- Simparica TRIO
How to create a single-dose prescription
- After logging in to the Covetrus Prescription Management Platform, search for the client using the Search bar at the top of the screen. If you are unable to find the client, you can add them manually by clicking on “Add Client” from the left-side menu.
- Once you have located and selected the client, select the relevant patient by clicking their name or by typing it next to the client name in the search bar above.
- To select a product, try typing the name of the product in the search bar at the top of the page, or click "Add Product” at the bottom-right of the page to search for and select the right product.
- For many products, the strength will default based on the weight of the animal. If you need to adjust anything, you can do so using the dropdown forms.
- The "Units Per Fill" field indicates how much product they can purchase at any one time. Click on the dropdown menu to specify quantity. Here is where you have the option to choose 1 unit (a single dose) for the prescription.
- You can also authorize refills using the “Refills” dropdown just below.
- Add your directions by typing them manually into the "Directions" field or by using a SIG shortcut.
- Finally, for single-dose prescriptions that are authorized for refill, make sure to keep the “Recommend Autoship” toggle activated. This guarantees that each refill dose will ship automatically to the client.
- Once you have confirmed the information and added your directions, you can add any notes to the Pharmacy or Client. These will stay with the prescription until it expires.
- When you're ready, select the Authorizing Veterinarian and click the blue "Authorize" button to prescribe! Your client will receive an email notification sent on behalf of your practice momentarily, which will direct them to purchase this product on your store.