The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has applied to own and operate the new gTLD of .PHARMACY. According to the press release:

“At a time when the vast majority of Web sites selling prescription drugs online are doing so illegally – many of them selling unapproved, substandard, and counterfeit medicine – NABP is seeking to establish the .PHARMACY space as a secure and trustworthy destination where consumers can be sure the medications they buy online are authentic and safe.”

“The .PHARMACY registry will help us to further protect patients who choose to purchase medications online,” states NABP President Michael A. Burleson, RPh. “We will do this by vetting all registrants prior to acceptance so as to ensure that they meet all applicable regulatory standards, including pharmacy licensure, drug authenticity, and valid prescription requirements. NABP is uniquely positioned to accomplish this due to its long history of protecting patients from illegal pharmacies through its VIPPS® (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accreditation program, which has been accrediting online pharmacies since 1999.”

“NABP has applied as a representative of the global pharmacy community, which includes independent community pharmacies, chain drug stores, Internet pharmacies, schools and colleges of pharmacy, patient advocacy groups, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and wholesale distributors of prescription medications. Among the coalition of stakeholders behind this initiative are the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, Eli Lilly and Company, European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines, Gilead Sciences, Inc, International Pharmaceutical Federation, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Merck/MSD, National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, and the state boards of pharmacy.”