Congressman Matheson Creates Bill to Make Pet Medication More Affordable

ST. GEORGE – Did you know you have options when it comes to the medications you buy for your pets?

Congressman Jim Matheson said many pet owners are paying too much for their pet’s medication and he wants pet owners to have a choice.

While being interviewed on the national debt ceiling and how to cut government spending, Matheson stopped by the Fox News 1450 radio station to talk about ways Americans could save money each month. One of those ways was to significantly cut how much a pet owner is paying for medications.

Matheson detailed a story of a woman who works in his Washington D.C. office. Her veterinarian charges her over $40 a month for her pet’s medications. But she discovered she could save $22 a month by going to the local drug store.

“Family budgets are tight and every opportunity to save matters,” said Matheson in a prepared statement. “This bill simply gives pet owners the same right to shop around for the best prices on the medications they buy for their pets as they have for products they buy for themselves.”

According to Matheson, one study of 18 common pet medications found that on average consumers who purchase from prescribers pay a 248 percent markup over average wholesale prices.

Currently, pet owners do not have a right to their pets’ prescription. Having a written prescription would give consumers the right to shop around, Matheson said.

Matheson’s taped interview on the Fox News Perspectives Morning Show regarding the debt ceiling will be aired Tuesday, June 28, between 6 and 9 a.m. on 1450 AM and 96.7 FM or www.foxnews1450.com.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2011, all rights reserved.

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6 Comments

  • Sharon Gainey June 28, 2011 at 6:38 am

    Completely Agree!
    For example, medications that keep or inhibit fleas and ticks are costly and yet in a round about way they also protect people from possibly contracting lyme disease (tick bites) and tape worm (flea bites) if the pet is not treated (monthly) and these critters jump from pet to human. The ensuing medical expense for owners to be treated then becomes costly. Medications like “Frontline” can cost as much as $33 per dose per month and must be administered year round.

  • earl hardwick June 29, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    This is really good of Mathison if only he could find a place in his heart for the people he voted against on health care

  • BRENDA34Hicks July 2, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I opine that to receive the home loans from banks you should have a good reason. Nevertheless, one time I have got a sba loan, because I wanted to buy a building.

  • Leo July 18, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    I missed hearing that taped interview. Is it posted on the radio shows facebook page? I already looked at foxnews1450.com and couldn’t find it there.

    • Jen Watkins July 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm

      No, sorry, Leo. As of right now I don’t know how to archive the shows on the website.

  • pet medications August 10, 2011 at 6:02 am

    Medicine is also necessary for your loving pets to keep them healthy.through internet you can find their medicine , feed and also get lots of information about pets.you can save time and money to use internet for pet care.thanks for information.

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