MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) will soon be accepting applications for .pharmacy domain names from trademark holders who are registered in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH). The sunrise application period, which begins December 19, 2014, precedes the Sunrise TMCH Registration Period, which will be from January 15 to March 16, 2015. NABP launched the .pharmacy Top-Level Domain (TLD) to provide consumers around the world a means for identifying safe, legal, and ethical online pharmacies and related resources.
During the sunrise application and registration phase, eligible trademark holders who have logged their brand names in the ICANN TMCH may apply to NABP for approval to register .pharmacy domain names that exactly match their trademark names in the TMCH. Once approved, these organizations will be able to register the domain with an approved registrar. The Sunrise period will begin immediately following a special members-only registration period for NABP's member boards of pharmacy.
Following the Sunrise Period, registration for .pharmacy domain names will be open to pharmacy websites that are accredited through the NABP Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites® (VIPPS®) and Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (Vet-VIPPS®) programs, as well as for pharmacy websites that have received approval through the NABP e-Advertiser Approval Program. Applications from other dispensing pharmacies will be accepted beginning in mid-2015. General availability will begin in June 2015 at which time all entities providing pharmacy-related products, services, or information that meet .pharmacy eligibility standards will be able to apply to register for the domain.
Except for those already VIPPS or Vet-VIPPS accredited or e-Advertiser approved, 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. NABP is establishing a network of international regulatory groups to facilitate evaluation of international domain name applications. Once approved, applicants will be able to register the domain name through an approved registrar.
Of the tens of thousands of sites selling prescription drugs online, NABP has reviewed over 10,800 and found that nearly 97% do not follow pharmacy laws and standards established to protect the public health. 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.
The .pharmacy domain application will be available at www.dotpharmacy.net beginning December 19, 2014. Additional information about the .Pharmacy TLD Program, as well as NABP's most recent research on rogue online drug sellers is also available on the site.
NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its state member boards and jurisdictions for the purpose of protecting the public health.
Contact:
Deborah Zak, Communications Manager
Tel.: +1 847/391-4405