Unfortunately for pet owners, there are many illegitimate pharmacies selling pharmaceuticals over the internet without a prescription from a veterinarian. In an effort to curb these abuses, in 2009, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) created the Vet-VIPPS accreditation program. The term 鎻PPS?is short for 鎻rified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site.?Only online pharmacies that comply with stringent licensing and site inspection requirements are able to obtain a Vet-VIPPS certificate, which authorizes the pharmacy to sell human drugs to pets.
How Online Pharmacies Become Certified by the Vet-VIPP Program
In order to obtain a Vet-VIPPS certificate, an online pharmacy must obtain a valid license in every state to which it ships pharmaceuticals. The pharmacy must also prove that it is operating legitimately over the internet. Furthermore, the pharmacy must show that it has met a rigorous 19-point set of criteria, such as: (1) cautious dispensation of pharmaceuticals according to the veterinarian鎶?instructions; (2) safeguarding the confidentiality of patients; and (3) ensuring proper medical consultation with patients prior to shipping medications; and (4) verifying the identity of patients and caregivers.
To become Vet-VIPP certified, an online pharmacy retailer must fill out an application and submit documents proving that it has complied with the 19-point criteria. The NABP staff carefully reviews and judges each application to verify its accuracy and determine whether or not the applicant has successfully met the criteria. Next, the NABP staff completes an on-site survey, which involves a visit to the candidate鎶?site.
The Vet-VIPPS Seal of Approval Inspires Public Trust
After successfully completing the application and evaluation process, an online pharmacy is officially earns its Vet-VIPPS certification, and may then display the Vet-VIPPS hyperlink seal on its Web site. Potential customers can then link to the NABP Vet-VIPPS site where they can access additional verified information about the pharmacy.
To maintain its Vet-VIPPS certification, an online pharmacy must demonstrate compliance with the Vet-VIPPS standards by undergoing thorough reviews every year and on-site surveys by NABP staff every three years. 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 NABP鎶?Mission: Public Safety
In 1999, the NABP developed the our world gem codes cheats online Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites accreditation program, known as VIPPS, to protect the public from the dangers of 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 19-point criteria that online pharmacies must meet in order to become a VIPPS certified retailer.
In 2009, the NABP expanded the scope of its mission to specifically address public concerns over illegal dispensation of drugs by online veterinary pharmacies. The Vet-VIPPS program was designed to help states regulate online distribution of prescription medications for non-food producing animals. The Vet-VIPPS program has successfully built on the VIPPS model and seeks to hold online veterinary pharmacies accountable for maintaining public safety standards.
Also in 2009, the NABP earned the Award of Excellence by the Associations Advance America awards program. NABP was recognized with this award for its efforts to educate consumers and empower them to make wise choices when shopping for medications over the internet.
On its Web site, NABP continues to provide a list of 鎻渆commended?VIPPS certified pharmacies and a list of 鎻榦t Recommended?online pharmacies that either do not comply with state and federal laws or do not adhere to NABP business practice and safety standards. subway surfers hack android
How to Know If a Pharmacy is Noncompliant
It is more difficult than one might think to determine whether an online pharmacy is non-compliant. One red flag is an immediate alert signal and the pharmacy should be avoided or reported. Imitation products are often illegal or harmful.
One of the 鎼慹d flags?that immediately alerts veterinarians to shady dealings is when a pharmacy boasts that it can ship drugs identical to the ones that have been approved by the FDA. Another warning sign is when pharmacies do not comply with the licensing and inspection requirements of the states in which they are dispensing drugs. Still another potential danger top eleven cheats online tool is when the pharmacy has no records proving that all prescription drugs being sold are authentic and FDA-approved and that the consultation between the pharmacist and client has been conducted properly.
The Value of the VIPPS Seal of Approval
Because of the strenuous VIPPS application and evaluation process, the VIPPS program has become the most respected method of helping consumers distinguish between legitimate and illegal online pharmacies. VIPPS is the only accreditation program that is supported by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are 17 human internet pharmacies have the VIPPs certification and currently 1 veterinary pharmacy has the Vet-VIPPS certification. For a complete listing of VIPPS online pharmacies, see .
