Since 2003 PharmacyChecker.com Has Helped Consumers Avoid Rogue Sites to be Banned Under New Law
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — October 10th, 2008 — PharmacyChecker.com, the leading evaluator of online pharmacies, supports passage of the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008, which bans online pharmacies from selling controlled substances based on remote consultations. Since 2003, PharmacyChecker.com has evaluated hundreds of online pharmacies. A cornerstone of its pharmacy verification program is that all online pharmacy members must require a prescription based on a face-to-face consultation with a licensed doctor in order to dispense a controlled substance.
The new legislation's fundamental importance is that it regulates online pharmacy practice at the federal level, whereas pharmacy practice usually falls under the jurisdiction of states. This legislation erases any ambiguity over online prescription requirements when it comes to controlled substances. It also gives the DEA more latitude to act against rouge online pharmacies.
"For nearly six years, PharmacyChecker.com has held online pharmacies to the standard established in this landmark bill," said Gabriel Levitt, Vice President of PharmacyChecker.com. "Major search engines like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have also recognized the threat posed by rogue pharmacies and, consequently, require their pharmacy advertisers to be approved and monitored in the PharmacyChecker.com Verification Program."
Through license verifications, website inspections, and mystery shopping, PharmacyChecker.com's program checks that an online pharmacy does not offer controlled substances without a prescription based on face-to-face consultation with a licensed doctor. It also verifies the dispensing pharmacy's license and DEA registration. Complying pharmacies must also encrypt financial and health information, provide a privacy policy that protects information from third parties, and publish accurate contact information. This information is re-checked on an ongoing basis to ensure continual compliance. Information about the PharmacyChecker.com Verification Program is found at https://www.pharmacychecker.com/sealprogram/choose/.
PharmacyChecker.com operates the largest independent verification service of online pharmacies. Its program is used by Google adWords, Yahoo Search Marketing, and Microsoft adCenter to qualify online pharmacy advertisers, providing visitors a safer shopping experience.
PharmacyChecker.com is a privately held company based in New York. It has no ownership in or from companies that sell or distribute pharmacy products. The company also operates www.MedicareDrugPlans.com where seniors can compare, rate, and review Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
Contact: Gabriel Levitt at glevitt@pharmacychecker.com or 718-387-4526.
