The appeal of online pharmacies include low cost and ease of access, but these factors come at a high risk to patient safety. Investigations of online pharmacies have found counterfeit drugs, potentially dangerous contaminants, and pharmaceutical products sourced from locations other than the proclaimed source. One 2013 investigation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) found nearly 97% of online pharmacies distributing drugs in the United States to be non-compliant with safety laws and regulations, with 48% selling non-FDA approved drugs and nearly 90% not requiring a valid prescription.
While many laws exist to regulate pharmacies and protect patient safety, illegal Internet pharmacy operations do not usually comply with these regulations. It is important for consumers to be able to identify a valid online pharmacy, but this has proven challenging for consumers.
Even if a patient is fully aware of the risks of online pharmacies, it is often difficult to discern which are legitimate; various global efforts are now being made to target unsafe drug sales. The NABP® created an online pharmacy accreditation program, called Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice SitesCM (VIPPS®). A supplementary program for limited-service online pharmacies, NABP e-Advertiser Approval ProgramCM, enables advertising through major search engines such as Google and Yahoo, as the site must be accredited through one of these programs. Some websites such as www.AWARErx.org and www.legitscript.com provide information about safe online pharmacies.
In another step towards improving patient safety and understanding, a top level domain (just like .com, .net, or .org), .pharmacy, has been created with tight restrictions on domain use. This domain is limited to use by:
- Pharmacies
- Pharmacy associations
- Pharmacy benefit managers
- Prescription drug information and pharmacy referral sites
- Prescription drug related patient advocacy and consumer education sites
- Medical professionals’ offices
- Colleges of pharmacy
- Continuing pharmacy education providers
- Wholesale drug distributors
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
To register a .pharmacy domain name, the organization must apply through NABP, providing proof that they are operating legally and complying with all safety regulations. More information about the .pharmacy domain and websites registered with this domain can be found at www.safe.pharmacy. The application period began in April 2015 for dispensing pharmacies and June 3, 2015 for all other eligible applicants.
There is a $2,000 fee for the review process that is paid at the time of application and yearly upon renewal. NABP also provides a list of registrars partnering with the .pharmacy program to provide domain name registration services. The costs to register a .pharmacy domain is $1,049 for two of the companies operating in the United States. The .pharmacy domain is not required, but it can be used to signal a safe, legal internet site. One cannot purchase a .pharmacy domain and sell it to anyone else. The .pharmacy domain is not limited to entities within the United States; it is open as well to Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain and Australia.
Currently, there are 19 State Boards of Pharmacy that have a .pharmacy domain. Pharmacies such as CVS and Target, as well as pharmacy organizations and pharmacy information site also have been approved for .pharmacy domains. Visit www.safe.pharmacy to find a complete list of .Pharmacy websites.
PHSI applauds the creation of .pharmacy for the internet and expects adoption by the internet-focused pharmacies.
Will you acquire a .pharmacy domain, and how will you promote it?