Kentucky to Require VIPPS Accreditation for Internet Pharmacies

May 19, 2005 12:00 am

Effective June 20, 2005, online pharmacies must be accredited through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®'s (NABP®) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ (VIPPS®) program to operate in Kentucky. NABP congratulates the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy on its success on providing additional safeguards for patients against suspicious Internet pharmacies.

Recently, the Kentucky Legislature passed Senate Bill 63, which amends Kentucky Revised Statute 315.035, relating to pharmacist and pharmacy licensure. Now, both in- and out-of-state online pharmacies ". . . doing business, primarily or exclusively by use of the Internet, shall prior to obtaining a permit, receive and display in every medium in which [they] advertises [themselves], a seal of approval for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy certifying that [they are] a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS). VIPPS certification shall be maintained and remain current." The full Bill, which also prohibits distribution of dietary supplements containing ephedrine group alkaloids except by prescription and stiffens penalties relating to manufacturing methamphetamines, can be viewed at www.lrc.ky.gov/record/05rs/SB63/bill.doc. For more information about the VIPPS program, contact NABP's Customer Service Department at 847/391-4406 or via e-mail at custerv@nabp.net, or visit the Association's Web site at www.nabp.net.

NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of protecting the public health.

Renee Renganathan