NABP Acquires AWARxE

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) recently announced the purchase AWARxE, a website and campaign that seeks to educate the public about the dangers presented by illegal online pharmacies.

AWARxE was started in 2007 by the Minnesota Pharmacists Foundation after it heard about the story of Justin Pearson, a 24 year old who accidentally overdosed and died from taking a variety of medication he purchased from illegal online pharmacies.

“NABP has heard too many stories like Justin’s,” said William T. Winsley, NABP president, “and when the Foundation approached us about taking the AWARxE campaign national we knew we had been presented with an excellent opportunity to help save others from having a similar story. Using the AWARxE consumer protection program as a vehicle, NABP aims to educate and raise public awareness about rogue internet drug outlets, counterfeit medications, and prescription drug abuse, among other serious issues.”

AWARxE informs people about the dangers of illegal online pharmacies through its website, YouTube videos and various other media efforts. In the future, NABP will work with the Foundation and other stakeholders to expand this public protection program to raise awareness about other issues affecting the public health, as well as pharmacists’ important role in patient care. The program’s Web site will continue to be the primary vehicle for delivering the AWARxE message as NABP expands the program to a national level.

More information on the AWARxE consumer protection program is available at www.awarerx.org.