NABP Considers Response to President Clinton's Online Pharmacy Proposal

NABP is carefully reviewing President Bill Clinton's proposal for controlling online pharmacies, announced late last month. The proposal includes provisions to grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to certify and regulate Internet sites distributing pharmaceutical credentials in the United States. The proposal also calls for significant fines to be levied against online pharmacy providers who fail to comply with federal requirements and sell medications without a valid prescription.

NABP's position that individual state boards of pharmacy are best suited to regulate the practice of pharmacy remains unchanged. NABP President Dyke F. Anderson states "We are cautiously optimistic and awaiting further details of the plan."

The Clinton proposal would also provide FDA with $10 million and subpoena power to create a "rapid response team," and to upgrade FDA's computer system to monitor online pharmacy providers.

Last summer, NABP Executive Director/Secretary Carmen Catizone testified before the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee regarding the regulation of online pharmacies. In his testimony, Catizone said, "online sites located within the US and its territories can be effectively controlled by the state agencies constitutionally empowered to regulate the practices of pharmacy and medicine."

"If noted further, the White House proposal provides support for state regulation of Internet practices and closes some regulatory gaps, it should be welcomed by NABP and the states," says Anderson.

 TOP 

Comments? Click here.