Physician group gives green light to NABP Internet pharmacy plan

Drug Store News, August 2, 1999 by James Frederick

CHICAGO -- The American Medical Association's House of Delegates has approved the concept of a voluntary rating system that will allow consumers to gauge the quality of individual Internet-based pharmacy providers. The system, called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program, was developed over the past several months by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

The recommendation is part of the AMA's Report on Internet Prescribing. The report acknowledges that the Internet offers legitimate uses for prescribing and dispensing drugs. It also notes, "The VIPPS program 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 in good standing with the appropriate state board of pharmacy or other regulatory agencies."

The AMA report supports the concept of "appropriately licensed Internet pharmacy practice Web sites that provide consumers with an alternative method for obtaining their prescriptions," according to the NABP.

The NABP reported it is now accepting applications from online pharmacy operators for approval and inclusion in the voluntary rating system. Obtaining a seal of approval from the national organization will require applicants to provide data and pass muster on a variety of requirements. Among those requirements: licensure information for online pharmacy; the types of services offered by the online provider, and the provider's written policies and procedures regarding drug utilization review, patient counseling, patient confidentiality and quality improvement efforts.

An August launch for the VIPPS site is anticipated "as the first seals are awarded," according to NABP president Dyke Anderson.