NABP’s Digital Pharmacy Accreditation Program, the 3-year accreditation for pharmacies that have a website offering at least one interactive pharmacy practice component, has been protecting patients online since 1999. Our “Gen Z” accreditation program is now turning 25, and in its quarter-century lifespan, the internet has moved from our family computer rooms to our pockets, ingrained in almost everything we do. Alongside the growth of the world wide web, the Digital Pharmacy Accreditation grew to meet the needs of modern pharmacies and will continue to adapt as new technologies are used in our field.
Originally launched as the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program, the Digital Pharmacy Accreditation proudly displays pharmacies’ ongoing commitment to providing quality health care and sound pharmacy practices over the internet. Back in 1999, Merck-Medco RX Services, PlanetRx, and drugstore.com were among the first websites that received the VIPPS Seal to display on their websites. Today, over 80 Digital Pharmacy-accredited companies serve millions of patients.
Protecting the Public Online
The Digital Pharmacy Accreditation was created to help protect the public from illegal online pharmacies, many of which sell drugs without requiring a valid prescription. These illegal online pharmacies are harmful to patients seeking medications, as the fake drugs they sell may contain a different active ingredient than advertised, a potentially lethal dose of an active ingredient, or missing the active ingredient altogether. Furthermore, drugs from illegal online pharmacies have been found to include potentially harmful objects and chemicals like house paint, brick dust, or even rocks.
When a pharmacy obtains the Digital Pharmacy Accreditation, this means that the business is compliant with all laws, holds the correct, valid licensure, and complies with all Digital Pharmacy standards. In addition, Digital Pharmacy Accreditation applicants must first successfully complete the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation process, which includes registering a .pharmacy domain name.
The .pharmacy domain, like .gov and .edu, shows the world that you are part of a limited group of entities in a specialized market. A .pharmacy domain name is a “seal of approval” indicating that your business meets Healthcare Merchant Accreditation requirements. It also strengthens your reputation as a legitimate entity offering products, services, and information that are reliable and safe.
From VIPPS to Digital Pharmacy
In 2020, NABP changed the name of VIPPS to Digital Pharmacy Accreditation, recognizing the expanding use of online platforms to reach pharmacy patients. NABP strives to stay up to date with the growing digital needs of our industry, and the term “digital pharmacy” is inclusive of pharmacy platforms in use today and in the future.
NABP continues to look towards the future of pharmacy and public safety, including the illegal sale of drugs on social media, such as semaglutide injectables discussed in our recent RogueRx Report.
Level Up from Healthcare Merchant
Digital Pharmacy Accreditation is the next step for your pharmacy after completing the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation. The Healthcare Merchant Accreditation meets the advertising requirements established by online advertising platforms such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!, Reddit, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter, as well as fulfills Visa’s and Mastercard’s certification and monitoring requirements for card-not-present transactions for pharmacy merchants and telemedicine providers.
Licensed pharmacies offering at least one digital pharmacy practice via their website must first obtain and maintain accreditation through the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation program to be eligible for Digital Pharmacy Accreditation.
While the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation is necessary for many types of business models, adding the Digital Pharmacy Accreditation shows your high commitment to protecting patients online. This accreditation process provides rigorous reviews of policies and procedures, as well as an on-site survey, which is why it is recognized or required by more than 20 state boards of pharmacy.
Learn more about NABP’s Digital Pharmacy Accreditation today, and contact us to start your application.