VIPPS Applications Now Accepted; Seal Design Approved

As an increasing number of Internet pharmacies begin to introduce their services to the public, including planetrx.com, soma.com, and drugstore.com, NABP has been busy preparing for the launch of its own Web section on Internet pharmacies, the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program. The Association is now accepting applications from interested on-line pharmacies for approval into the VIPPS program.

"NABP has received many inquiries about the VIPPS program from on-line pharmacy companies since announcing its development this past February," said NABP President Dyke F. Anderson. "These companies can now submit their applications to the Association to initiate the review process."

Data gathered by NABP during the VIPPS application process includes state licensure information for the on-line pharmacy; the types of services offered by the company (e.g., dispense prescription medications and/or over-the-counter medications); and the written policies and procedures with regard to drug utilization review, patient counseling, patient confidentiality, and quality improvement programs.

If the results from NABP's application review are satisfactory, the on-line pharmacy enters into an agreement with the Association in which the pharmacy agrees to:

• adhere to the VIPPS criteria and program requirements;
• maintain all appropriate state and federal licenses in good standing;
• provide and allow certain information about the pharmacy to be posted and maintained for public access on the VIPPS Web site;
• facilitate and allow inspections of its operations, given reasonable notice and accommodation; and
• display and maintain the VIPPS seal with a hyperlink on the pharmacy's Web site.

NABP has finalized the design of its VIPPS seal, shown here. The seal will identify to on-line pharmacy users those Web sites that have met the above specifications. VIPPS-approved sites will be required to establish a hyperlink to the VIPPS Web site, from which users will be able to view information about approved sites. Search capabilities will also be available on the VIPPS site.

"The development of NABP's VIPPS program continues to proceed rapidly and on schedule," said Anderson. "As the first seals are awarded, the VIPPS Web section will go live, with time projections indicating an August launch."

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