.PHARMACY and NABP

NABP, with the support of a global coalition of stakeholders, has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to own and operate the new .PHARMACY generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD). NABP announced its application for the .PHARMACY gTLD in June, 2012.

Today, the vast majority of Web sites selling prescription drugs online are doing so illegally – many of them selling unapproved, substandard, and counterfeit medicine. NABP recently reviewed nearly 10,000 Internet drug outlets selling prescription medications and found nearly 97% to be out of compliance with pharmacy laws and practice standards established in the United States to protect the public health. Of these Web sites identified as Not Recommended, nearly half offer foreign or non-Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, and many distribute dangerous counterfeits to unsuspecting consumers.

NABP will establish the .PHARMACY space as a secure and trustworthy destination where consumers can be sure the medications they buy online are authentic and safe. NABP will ensure that all registrants within the .PHARMACY gTLD will be vetted prior to registration to confirm that they meet all applicable regulatory standards, including pharmacy licensure, drug authenticity, and valid prescription requirements.

.PHARMACY and the Global Pharmacy Community

NABP has applied for .PHARMACY as a community-based gTLD representing legitimate online pharmacies and prescription drug-related organizations worldwide. This global pharmacy community includes independent community pharmacies, chain drug stores, and mass retailers offering pharmacy services, Internet pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management companies, veterinary pharmacies, schools and colleges of pharmacy and continuing professional education providers, wholesale drug distributors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) providers, prescription drug-related patient advocacy and consumer education groups, prescription drug information and pharmacy referral sites, medical professionals advertising services related to a prescription drug, and many others.

.PHARMACY Application News and Process Information

For more information about why NABP applied for the .PHARMACY gTLD, read the cover story of the May 2012 NABP Newsletter “NABP Submits Application to Create and Operate Safeguarded .Pharmacy Domain.”