The Pharmacy Authenticated Licensure Service^® (PALS^™) program is designed to assist organizations in determining appropriately licensed online pharmacies as well as enable Internet pharmacies to demonstrate that they are licensed and in good standing.

Over the years, the number of online pharmacies that offer their pharmaceutical services in several states has greatly increased, which has created challenges for those entities wishing to ensure that these online pharmacies are operating in a proper manner. Through the PALS program, organizations will be able to protect the health of their customers.

Established in April 2006, PALS provides participants with an authentication check of the online pharmacy in the state in which it is located and any additional states where the pharmacy is rendering pharmaceutical services where licensure is required. In addition, PALS will authenticate that the pharmacy and the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) are validly licensed and in good standing. Authentications and verifications will be performed utilizing the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) Disciplinary Clearinghouse.

PALS was created after organizations approached NABP seeking assistance with confirmation of licensure of their clients. It can provide organizations with a resource for authenticating licensure and enable organizations to make sound business decisions prior to doing business with the online pharmacy and assist in protecting their customer’s health.

To qualify for PALS authentication, online pharmacies must provide the necessary information to confirm licensure or registration in good standing for those jurisdictions in which the pharmacy is rendering pharmaceutical services. In addition, they must submit the necessary information to confirm that the PIC affiliated with the site is appropriately licensed or registered and in good standing in all applicable jurisdictions.

Those online pharmacies that qualify for PALS authentication will display the PALS link on their Web site, which patients may “click to authenticate.” The link leads to a list of those pharmacies that have been authenticated through PALS. From there, patients may view detailed information about the pharmacy and its licensure status.

Online pharmacies that receive PALS authentication are encouraged to seek full accreditation through the NABP Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites^™ (VIPPS^®) program. PALS authentication satisfies the first VIPPS criteria requiring online pharmacies to be licensed in all applicable jurisdictions. PALS pharmacies are encouraged to continue on with the process and seek full VIPPS accreditation.