New NABP Program Will Verify Licensure of Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites

NABP has announced its decision to develop the NABP Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS), a new program that will verify the licensure of Internet pharmacy practice sites, and inform the public, through a database on the NABP Web site, whether those sites are licensed in good standing with the appropriate state board(s) of pharmacy or other regulatory agencies. This new initiative was approved by the NABP Executive Committee at its meeting February 6–7, 1999.

NABP Executive Director/Secretary Carmen A. Catizone announced the VIPPS program February 8, at the Food and Drug Administration’s Health Professional Organization Meeting. Also participating in the FDA meeting were FDA Commissioner Jane E. Henney and representatives of the Federation of State Medical Boards, the American Medical Association, the Association of Food and Drug Officials, and other interested health professionals.

Explaining the Association’s decision to create the VIPPS program, NABP President Kevin E. Kinkade noted that, "While a growing number of legitimate Web sites are coming on-line to dispense prescription and over-the-counter medications and provide counseling, the medium has attracted a visible band of unlicensed and unscrupulous entrepreneurs who are interested only in a quick profit, often at the patient’s expense. These sites frequently operate for a short time at one Web site address before disappearing and setting up shop under another name to escape detection." Kinkade said that NABP became aware of the need for the license verification service during the past year as several states reported consumer complaints related to Internet pharmacy practice sites.

Internet pharmacy practice sites that wish to receive NABP verification will submit a detailed application that requests information about the site and its services.

Once verified, sites will be listed in the VIPPS database here on NABP’s Web site, and made accessible to the public free of charge.

"It is our intent to have a prototype of the new NABP VIPPS database available for viewing in the Educational Presentation Area of the Association’s Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico this May," said NABP President Kevin E. Kinkade. "The site is expected to be operational by the end of 1999."

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