General Information about VIPPS™

Welcome to the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ (VIPPS) information and verification site of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

The VIPPS program was developed in 1999 by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) in the United States, in response to public concern about the safety of pharmacy practice offered through the Internet. In 2003, NAPRA entered into a licensing agreement with NABP to administer the program in Canada, so that Canadian pharmacies could also be recognized.

For a Canadian pharmacy to be VIPPS certified, it must first be accredited by a provincial or territorial licensing body and operating in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where it is physically located and that of the patients it serves. In addition, Canadian pharmacies displaying the VIPPS seal must have demonstrated compliance with VIPPS criteria, which include protecting patient confidentiality, ensuring the authenticity of prescriptions, and providing meaningful consultation between patients and pharmacists. Canadian VIPPS certified pharmacies are held to the high standards set by NAPRA through the “Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists©” and “Model Standards for Canadian Pharmacists Offering Pharmacy Services via the Internet©”

VIPPS pharmacy sites are identified by the VIPPS hyperlink seal displayed on their homepages. By clicking on the Seal, a consumer is linked to the NAPRA site where verified information about the pharmacy is maintained. The public is also invited to access the Canadian VIPPS site to search for a pharmacy that matches their specific needs.