National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

Protecting Public Health Through Excellence in Pharmacy Regulation

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is the impartial professional association that supports the state boards of pharmacy in protecting public health. Established in 1904, NABP aims to ensure the public's health and safety through its licensee examination programs, competency assessment, license verification, and inspection programs.

History and Mission

Founded in 1904 as the National Conference of Pharmaceutical Association Secretaries, the organization was renamed to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in 1932. Over the past century, NABP has evolved to meet the changing needs of pharmacy regulation while maintaining its core mission of protecting public health.

NABP's mission is to protect and promote the public health by ensuring that pharmacies and pharmacists provide safe, effective, and quality patient care services. The association accomplishes this by developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the practice of pharmacy.

NABP Programs and Services

NABP offers a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to support the state boards of pharmacy in fulfilling their regulatory responsibilities:

• NAPLEX The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination measures the knowledge and judgment of pharmacists to practice safely.
• MPJE The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination tests pharmacy law, serving as the legal requirement for pharmacist licensure in most U.S. jurisdictions.
• FPGEC Certification Program The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination and certification process for foreign-educated pharmacists seeking licensure in the United States.
• NABP Clearinghouse A database of disciplinary actions taken against pharmacists and pharmacies by state boards of pharmacy.
• Pharmacy Surveyors Provides standardized pharmacy compliance surveying and verification services.
• NABP e-Profile An electronic database used to track pharmacists' continuing education and other professional information.

.Pharmacy Domain Program

NABP manages the .pharmacy top-level domain, ensuring that websites with this domain are verified legitimate online pharmacies and pharmacy-related resources. This program helps patients identify safe online pharmacies and avoid rogue internet pharmacies that may sell counterfeit or substandard medications. Legitimate pharmacies must verify their licensure and location before being approved to use the .pharmacy domain.

Accreditation and Verification

NABP provides essential accreditation programs that establish and maintain quality standards for various pharmacy providers:

• VAWD The Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors program accredits wholesale distributors of prescription drugs to protect the public from counterfeit drugs.
• VIPPS The Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program accredits online pharmacies that meet NABP's strict criteria, ensuring they comply with state and federal regulations.
• DMEPOS NABP accredits suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies.

Compounding Pharmacy Accreditation

NABP's accreditation programs for compounding pharmacies help ensure that these facilities meet appropriate quality standards. The association offers accreditation for both sterile and non-sterile compounding pharmacies, with specific requirements for facilities, personnel, processes, and quality assurance. This accreditation is crucial in light of the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak, which was linked to contaminated compounded medications.

Impact on Pharmacy Practice and Patient Safety

NABP's standards and programs have significantly impacted pharmacy practice and patient safety across the United States. By establishing uniform requirements for pharmacist licensure, the association ensures that pharmacists practicing in any state have demonstrated a baseline level of knowledge and competence.

The NABP Clearinghouse enables boards of pharmacy to track disciplinary actions across state lines, preventing pharmacists with serious disciplinary issues from simply moving to another state to continue practicing. This cross-jurisdictional communication is essential for protecting patients from potentially harmful practitioners.

Through its VIPPS accreditation and management of the .pharmacy domain, NABP helps patients identify safe, legitimate online pharmacies in an era where rogue internet pharmacies pose serious health risks through the sale of counterfeit and substandard medications.

Resources for Pharmacists and Boards of Pharmacy

NABP provides numerous resources to support pharmacists and state boards of pharmacy:

• Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the Board A template that states can adapt for their pharmacy regulations.
• Continuing education opportunities focused on pharmacy law and patient safety.
• Policy statements and position papers on emerging issues in pharmacy practice.
• Annual conferences and meetings for boards of pharmacy and industry stakeholders.
• Publications and resources on pharmacy law, regulation, and practice.
• License verification services for pharmacists moving between states.

Partnerships and Collaborations

NABP collaborates with numerous organizations to advance pharmacy practice and protect public health. These partners include federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as other healthcare organizations and professional associations.

These collaborations enable NABP to stay at the forefront of pharmacy regulation while addressing emerging challenges such as the opioid epidemic, telepharmacy, and the safe use of technology in pharmacy practice.

Future Directions

As healthcare continues to evolve, NABP is adapting its programs and standards to address new challenges in pharmacy practice. The association is currently exploring issues related to:

• The expanding role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery
• Regulation of specialty pharmacy services
• Quality standards for compounding pharmacies
• Patient safety in digital health applications
• Interprofessional practice and collaborative pharmacy models
• Artificial intelligence in medication management
• Prescription drug monitoring program optimization

Contact Information

NABP headquarters are located at:

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
1907 Spring Road
Suite 610
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Phone: 847-391-4406
Website: www.nabp.pharmacy

Conclusion

For over a century, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has played a crucial role in protecting public health by developing and maintaining standards for pharmacy practice. Through its licensure examinations, accreditation programs, clearinghouse, and various initiatives, NABP helps ensure that pharmacists and pharmacies provide safe, effective care to patients across the United States.

As the healthcare landscape continues to change, NABP remains committed to its mission of supporting the state boards of pharmacy in their vital work of safeguarding public health and wellbeing through effective pharmacy regulation.