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MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill., May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) is pleased to announce that general availability for the .pharmacy domain begins June 3, 2015. At this time, all pharmacies and pharmacy-related entities may apply for .pharmacy domain names.

The .pharmacy Top-Level Domain (TLD) was launched in 2014, and NABP has approved more than 300 .pharmacy domain names applied for or requested during prior limited registration periods. NABP created the .pharmacy TLD to provide consumers worldwide with a means to clearly identify safe and legal online pharmacies and related resources.

Applications for the final limited registration period for all dispensing pharmacies are currently being evaluated and approved applicants were eligible to register their domain names as early as May 1. 

Except for those already accredited through the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites^® (VIPPS^®), Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites^® (Vet-VIPPS^®) Programs, or approved by the NABP e-Advertiser Approval Program, entities seeking a .pharmacy domain name must first submit an application, supporting documentation, and an application fee to NABP. NABP will evaluate these materials to ensure compliance with program standards. As part of the application process, the content of the proposed website must be available for review by NABP either on an existing website or a staging site. NABP is establishing a network of international regulatory groups to facilitate evaluation of domain name applications from countries worldwide. Once approved, applicants may register the domain names through one of NABP's participating registrars.

NABP has reviewed nearly 11,000 websites that sell prescription medication online and found that 96% do not follow pharmacy laws and standards established to protect the public health. This finding illustrates the need for the .pharmacy TLD. NABP will grant use of the .pharmacy domain only to legitimate website operators that adhere to pharmacy laws in the jurisdictions in which they are based and in which their patients and customers reside, so that consumers can easily find safe online pharmacies.

Additional information about the .Pharmacy TLD Program, as well as information about buying medicine safely online is available at www.safe.pharmacy.

NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its state member boards and jurisdictions for the purpose of protecting the public health.

SOURCE National Association of Boards of Pharmacy