Elanco must have hired the merial pr folks if they think that anyone is going to buy into the bs that they are not selling directly to non vet channels. I can go to costco today and buy comfortis or trifexis. I can also go to 800petmeds or f&s and do the same. I know it, you know it, and more importantly, the vets know it. The funny thing is that elanco dosent need to lie about it, vets like the products and will continue to use them, but down the road if elanco refuses to acknowledge this, then when the next big thing shows up, the vets will show the same loyality that they feel they are receiving. The ingredients in trifexis are far from the best or the most effective for what they are trying to accomplish but they did provide an answer to a need that the vets have. This wont last forever and if the root desires are not going to be met, then be careful down the line.
Save your bonuses. Hopefully it will just be a precaution.