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Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors (VAWD)
* The Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors (VAWD) program provides assurance that the wholesale distribution facility operates legitimately, is validly licensed in good standing, and is employing security and best practices for safely distributing prescription drugs from manufacturers to pharmacies and other institutions. Applicants for VAWD accreditation undergo a criteria compliance review, licensure verification, a survey, background checks, and screening through the NABP Clearinghouse.
NABP has established and will operate and administer inspection services for the VAWD program. Surveys and surveyors will be managed and contracted directly through NABP.
VAWD was established in 2004 to help protect the public from the threat of counterfeit drugs affecting the US drug supply. NABP began developing VAWD after FDA requested that the Association update its Model Rules for the Licensure of Wholesale Distributors, which is part of the Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Members of the resulting NABP Task Force on Counterfeit Drugs and Wholesale Distributors, held in October 2003, revised the Model Rules and proposed the creation of an accreditation program and clearinghouse for wholesale distributors – a plan that was immediately supported by FDA – to further combat counterfeit drugs.
The Model Rules for Licensure of Wholesale Distributors are just now being adopted by the states and NABP will take this into consideration as it evaluates applicants' documents and operations for purposes of VAWD accreditation. Throughout the creation of VAWD, NABP involved key stakeholders such as wholesale distributors, state boards of pharmacy, and other state and federal regulators to ensure that the program addresses the concerns of all interested parties.