Indiana Governor Signs Wholesale Distributor Licensing Bill that Recognizes VAWD

May 16, 2005 12:00 AM

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to announce that on May 12, 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels signed into a law Indiana House Bill (HB) 1098, which recognizes the Association's new Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors™ (VAWD™) program. HB 1098, which becomes effective July 1, 2005, expands requirements for wholesale drug distributor licensing. "The successful passage of HB 1098 marks a new day for the drug distribution system in the state of Indiana," says Indiana Board of Pharmacy Director Josh Bolin. "Many of the interested parties put in months of effort and negotiation to reach the compromise that resulted in the bill's successful passage. While we are very proud to have used NABP's Model Rules for Wholesale Drug Distributors as the basis for our bill, we are probably most proud of the requirement for each wholesale distributor to obtain the VAWD accreditation in order to do business in the state of Indiana. With our limited fiscal and operational resources, recognizing the VAWD accreditation was the only way for Indiana to implement the new requirements of the bill. VAWD is just another example of the quality regulatory assistance that NABP offers to state boards of pharmacy." HB 1098 establishes the authority for the Indiana Board of Pharmacy to recognize VAWD accreditation, and also requires pedigrees. In part, the bill reads: Sec. 14. (a) A person may not engage in wholesale distributions of legend drugs without: (1) after December 31, 2005, obtaining and maintaining accreditation or certification from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy's Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor or an accreditation body approved by the board under subsection (g); HB 1098 also lays the groundwork for the Indiana Board to establish an electronic pedigree program. HB 1098, in principle, is based on NABP's Model Rules for the Licensure of Wholesale Distributors, which is part of the Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The latest printing of HB 1098 can be found at www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2005/HE/HE1098.1.html.

Bolin and the Indiana Board worked tirelessly to promote the bill and win the confidence of stakeholders. The Board's efforts to pass this bill through Indiana's legislature can be seen during NABP's 101st Annual Meeting at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, LA, at the Third Annual Poster Session, located in the Educational Presentation Area, on Saturday, May 21, from 1 to 5 PM and Sunday, May 22, from 8 AM to noon.

NABP's VAWD program provides the stringent safety guidelines for wholesale distributors that will help protect patients from counterfeit drugs affecting the United States' drug supply. The program accredits wholesale distributors and assures stakeholders that the company is legitimate, qualified for state licensure, and employing security and best practices for safely distributing prescription drugs from manufacturer to pharmacy practitioner or health care facility. Applicants for VAWD accreditation undergo a criteria compliance review, licensure verification, an inspection, and screening through NABP's National Clearinghouse of Licensure, Certification, and Accreditation.

For more information on the VAWD program, visit NABP's Web site at www.nabp.net/vawd/intro.asp or contact Eleni Anagnostiadis, NABP's professional affairs director, at 301/214-9078 or via e-mail at eanagnostiadis@nabp.net.

Renee Renganathan