All About Vipps Certification
In 1999, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) developed the Verified
Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites accreditation program, known as VIPPS, to protect the public from illegitimate online drug retailers. An organized collation of consumer advocacy groups, professional associations, and state and federal regulatory associations worked together in order to create a stringent set of standards that online pharmacies must meet in order to become a VIPPS certified retailer.
The VIPPS Application and Evaluation Process
To earn the VIPPS seal of approval, an online pharmacy must verify that it has obtained a valid license in every state to which it ships pharmaceuticals. In addition, an online pharmacy seeking VIPPS certification must demonstrate that it has sufficiently met a 19-point set of criteria pertaining to the operation of its business practices, including: (1) securing and tracking shipments of controlled substances to patient; (2) ensuring the confidentiality of patients and caregivers; and (3) consulting with patients prior to shipping medications. What makes the VIPPS program unique among other accreditation programs is the expertise involved in the development of the standards and the thoroughness of the set of criteria employed.
An online pharmaceutical retailer must first complete the VIPPS application and provide supporting documentation that proves compliance with the 19-point criteria in order to be considered as a candidate for VIPPS accreditation. After the NABP staff receives the application and supporting documentation, it verifies and evaluates the accuracy of the information contained in the application, which includes a visit to the candidates site by NABP investigators.
After completion of the application and evaluation process, the NABP will award the successful candidates with VIPPS accreditation and the VIPPS seal. VIPPS certified pharmacies are authorized to display the seal prominently on their websites and provide patients with a link to the VIPPS verification Web page, where they can find additional verification information.
Furthermore, after an online pharmacy earns VIPP certification, the NABP conducts annual reviews and follow-up site investigations every three years to ensure adherence to the VIPP standards.
The Value of the VIPPS Seal of Approval
Due to the rigorous VIPP application and evaluation process, it should come as no surprise that after 10 years of existence, the VIPP program has become the most valued and respected guide in helping consumers to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate online pharmacy retailers. In fact, VIPP is the only accreditation program that is supported by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of late October 2009 17 human internet pharmacies have the VIPPs certification and currently 1 veterinary pharmacy has the Vet-VIPPS certification. For a complete listing of VIPPS and Vet-VIPPS online pharmacies, see www.vipps.info.
Because it is such a valuable tool for consumers who want reliable information on how to safely purchase medications over the Internet, the VIPPS program continues to be acknowledged in national and local media including health and medical magazines, newspapers, and online health care websites.
"For 10 years, the VIPPS program has provided the public instant access to independently verified and maintained information about the legitimacy of Internet pharmacies," states Rich Palombo, RPh, NABP president. "Because of the program's design and the thoroughness of NABP," he says, "VIPPS will continue to provide assurance to consumers and health care professionals that these accredited Internet pharmacies, to which they are entrusting their
family's health and safety, are in fact legitimate."
The Vet-VIPPS Program Certifies Online Veterinary Pharmacies
The VIPP program has been so successful that it has recently expanded its scope to include online veterinary pharmacies. In 2009, the NABP initiated the Vet-VIPPS program, which builds upon the VIPPS model by designing new criteria specifically designed to address the business practices of online veterinary pharmacies. The Vet-VIPPS program was designed to help states regulate online distribution of prescription drugs and related items for non-food producing animals. Another goal of the Vet-VIPPS program is to hold online veterinary pharmacies accountable for meeting safety standards and maintaining beneficial patient-client relationships.
Consumers can rest assured that all online veterinary pharmacies displaying the Vet-VIPPS seal on their websites have completed the required application, evaluation, and site inspection process, and have successfully demonstrated compliance with Vet-VIPPS criteria. Among these criteria include: (1) safeguarding patients rights to privacy; (2) ensuring authenticity and security of prescription orders; (3) adhering to a recognized quality assurance policy; and (4) providing meaningful consultation between clients and pharmacists.
Goals of the NABP: Consumer Protection and Education
In 2009, the NABP earned the Award of Excellence in the first round of the Associations Advance America awards program, which is a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives & The Center for Association Leadership. This award recognized NABP's achievements in furthering its goals of educating patients on the potential dangers of buying online pharmaceuticals and empowering them to make prudent purchasing decisions. For instance, on its website, besides providing a list of Recommended VIPPS certified pharmacies, NABP provides a Not Recommended list of online pharmacies that do not comply with state and federal laws or do not seem to adhere to NABP business practice and safety standards.
by: pet123
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