Internet Pharmacy Board
IPB Seal

Frequently Asked Questions - Webmasters / Affiliates

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP:

What are the benefits of membership for the affiliate?

  • We believe that the benefits will be as follows:
  • Ability to promote and market without fear or hindrance
  • Ability to promote consumer confidence, which means improved conversion ratios
  • Ability to promote certified Ops who are obligated by the IPB to ensure swift payment to their affiliates
  • Support in the form of industry PR and legal information with representation at a reduced cost.
  • Ability to promote via PPC

    • Is there a membership fee? If so, how much?

  • Yes. There are membership fees as well as site certification fees.

    • What is the membership fee structure?:

  • See Webmaster Membership

    • Will a fee be mandatory?

  • Yes. Membership fees and site certification fees are manatory.

    • What information will be necessary for membership? Rights to privacy are a concern.

  • All information collected is for membership and certification processing only. Information will not be shared or sold.

    • Does the affiliate's site require review and approval?

  • The website must be reviewedc and approved in order for it to display the IPB seal. They may be randomly visited to insure that best practices are being followed.

    • Will OPs pre-approved template sites speed the approval process?

  • No, each site will be reviewed as a separate site because of the editing that each webmaster may perform on a template site.

    • Can an affiliate offer meds from more than one OP on a member site?

  • Yes

    • If so, do all promoted OPs have to be certified?

  • No, affiliate membership should be based on the affiliate practices and codes of conduct. They may be offering viagra from an op that isnt cetified and carries controlleds with a questionnaire only, but if the affiliate doesn't carry controlleds on their site, they are being responsible. They would of course have to be able to comply with certification and membership guidelines throughout their site. Eg they may have to provide a means for the customer to contact the prescribing doctor or issuing pharmacy in the event of a related medical emergency for each of the Ops they promote.

    • Can non-members promote the certified OPs in the program?

  • This would be down to the individual OP's

    • Can affiliate members promote non-certified OPs?

  • See above

    • How can comparison sites fit into this membership model?

  • See Above

    • Will there be a means to report member sites not in compliance and if so:

  • Yes

    • How will those complaints be handled?

  • Via a web form, handled by the membership review board or the person that approves initial members

    • What will be involved in disciplinary actions?

  • Removal from the member in good standing list, and fees to rejoin

    • Will forfeiture of commissions be implemented?

  • If you mean affiliate commissions from the OP they promote, I don't see how it could be legal to ask for the funds.

    • Will membership be reinstated upon compliance?

  • This would depend upon number and severity of violations

    • Will fines be imposed to add to the general fund?

  • For violations beyond the first warning

    • Who is in charge of the money?

  • Treasurer

    • Would it be mandatory to put disclaimers on our websites?

  • Please review the Customer Complaints and Online Pharmacies

    • Would we have some kind of seal signifying that we are members?

  • Yes

    • Will the Board provide an FAQ and other content to post on our sites?:

  • Yes

    • For first time purchasers?

  • Yes

    • For apprehensive purchasers questioning the legality of online buying?

  • Yes

    • Will minimum retail pricing be established for Certified OPs?

  • This is not so much an ethics issue as an economics issue, therefore, minimum prices should not be required by the IPB, but should be left up to the individual OP

    • Will SPAM and BLOGGING be grounds for suspension or expulsion?

  • Yes

    • Frequently Asked Questions For International Affiliates

    How are International affiliates affected by US laws?

  • International affiliates should follow US laws for US sales targeted sites, and international law for international targeted sites

    • Can International affiliate branded sites get certified?

  • Yes, as long as their sites comply with all rules and US law

    • Will there be more information on how International affiliates are affected by the current situation.

  • The bottom line is that if an affiliate is "operating" or Targeting a market in the US, they are treated by the IPB in the same way as a US based affiliate would be. They must comply with all guidelines to obtain membership.

    • Are there long term goals to be a global VIPPS with International OPs and affiliates?

  • Yes

    For additional information, please contact us

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