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VIPPS™ Certification Process
The VIPPS certification process begins when the applicant submits a VIPPS application form with application fees to NABP. (See Application form and Instructions)
- Upon receipt of the application form and supporting documentation,
NABP staff will:
- Verify all necessary state pharmacy licenses are in good standing
- Verify the Pharmacist-in-Charge licenses are in good standing
- Evaluate the submitted support documents against the Interpretive Guide to the VIPPS Criteria
- Notify the applicant contact person if discrepancies arise or clarification is needed.
- Based on the staff review, NABP management determines if an on-site
inspection is required. Inspections may be required:
- As part of the initial application process
- As part of the renewal process
- Upon notice of a complaint against a VIPPS certified pharmacy
- As a result of the program's random inspection program
- At the request of a participant in the course of an appeal of a de-certification action.
Routine VIPPS inspections are pre-arranged.
- Following review of the application materials, verification of
submitted information and licensure, and inspection (if applicable), a
written report will be delivered to the applicant contact person. If the
review is satisfactory the report will include:
- a VIPPS Letter of Agreement to be signed by a responsible representative or agent of the entity with authority to bind the entity
- a printout of the information to appear on the VIPPS Web site, and
- an invoice for the first year participation fee.
- Upon receipt of the executed Letter of Agreement and fee, NABP releases a code to the applicant which allows access to a secure area of the VIPPS Web site where the applicant may retrieve and download their VIPPS hyperlink Seal and carry out other administrative functions. Guidelines for the use of the Seal are included in the Letter of Agreement.
- The VIPPS certification is renewable annually following an update of the registration information and re-verification of licensure status. The cost of re-certification is absorbed in the annual participation fee.
The entire process from initial application to award of the Seal should take one to two months depending on scheduling, timeliness of responses, and whether an inspection is included.
VIPPS Certified Pharmacies receive:
- NABP/VIPPS hyperlink Seal to display on their Web site. Focus group
studies have demonstrated the Seal's power of reassurance to prospective
Internet pharmacy users for a number of reasons.
- To those trusting their health and life to an unknown entity on the Internet, the NABP Seal represents the comfort afforded by a hundred-year heritage of dedication to protecting the public health through assisting state boards of pharmacy regulating pharmacy practices.
- The public likes access to company information, which is verified and maintained by an independent agency.
- Patients appreciate the clear, understandable, and professionally reviewed requirements, which allows them to judge the merit of certification for themselves.
- The certification requirements address their fears and concerns.
- Expanded Internet presence. NABP is committed to supply a network of connections from its Web site to government agencies. NABP is also working to establish referral links to its Web site from not-for-profit organizations and core influentials. Once in the VIPPS site, visitors may search the database for the Internet pharmacy of their choice.
- Periodic review of the NABP National Disciplinary Clearinghouse can alert pharmacy management of unknown state disciplinary action against affiliates, satellites, and contracted pharmacy service providers. Such actions may signal issues effecting the VIPPS Pharmacy operations or licensure status.
- VIPPS Pharmacies also may find benefit from access to NABP resources and expertise in licensure, professional credentialing, regulatory compliance, and quality benchmarks.
Last Modified: October 7, 1999
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