US Oncology Specialty passes VAWD accreditation program

US Oncology, Inc.'s Fort Worth, Texas distribution facility, US Oncology Specialty, LP, has once again successfully passed the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors(CM) (VAWD(CM)) program's comprehensive criteria review and on-site inspection.

US Oncology Specialty, a specialty distribution center service of US Oncology, was originally accredited in 2006, earning the distinction of being the first oncology-specific wholesale distributor accredited by NABP.  The VAWD program supports state board of pharmacy efforts to regulate the drug supply chain, and represents a concerted and cooperative effort between NABP and accredited wholesale distributors to protect the public from counterfeit drugs and continue to secure the integrity of the US medication distribution supply chain.

VAWD accreditation assures that wholesale distributors like US Oncology Specialty are appropriately licensed, have undergone intense background checks, and employ security and due diligence practices for safely distributing prescription drugs.

"US Oncology is proud to say our accreditation has been renewed," said Rolando DeCardenas, vice president & general manager of US Oncology Specialty.  "This assures the public and, especially, patients that we are a premier and highly qualified wholesale distributor who takes pride in our work. It's all about advancing cancer care.  This is our way of meeting that ultimate goal."

The VAWD program is a rigorous one. Accreditation is achieved by:

• Performing extensive evaluation of wholesale distributors' licensure status;
• Conducting disciplinary screening through the NABP Clearinghouse;
• Performing criminal and financial background checks on key employees;
• Reviewing policies and procedures; and
• Completing on-site inspections of wholesale distributor facilities with the assurances of NABP that the wholesale distributor is operating legally and in conformance with state laws and regulations.

"The VAWD accreditation program maintains high standards for safeguarding the wholesale drug distribution chain, and US Oncology Specialty, LP continues to prove that they meet these rigorous standards," said NABP President Gary A. Schnabel, RN, RPh. "NABP congratulates US Oncology on their dedication to keeping patients safe. As one of the first wholesale distributors to become accredited, US Oncology was at the forefront of this program, which now has more than 400 accredited wholesale distributors."

In 2005, US Oncology launched US Oncology Specialty to facilitate the seamless flow of oncology pharmaceuticals directly from the pharmaceutical manufacturers to its nationwide network of practices.  In 2007, US Oncology continued to raise the bar by being the first oncology distributor to implement an electronic pedigree (ePedigree) data management solution within its oncology drug distribution system.  ePedigree secures the supply chain of pharmaceuticals distributed to the US Oncology network of affiliated practices.

This innovative technology is just another way US Oncology is ensuring the integrity of every drug distributed through its nationwide network.  Every drug is protected with an ePedigree track and trace system that documents the drug's history in the distribution channel.

"As one of the nation's largest healthcare service networks dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research, US Oncology takes great pride in having an accredited wholesale distribution center that helps ensure a safe and secure supply chain from the manufacturer to the patient," said Bruce Broussard, Chairman and CEO of US Oncology.  

"This accreditation shows just how much time and effort we invest in our state-of-the-art distribution system and security measures," said DeCardenas.  "Oncologists in the United Network of US Oncology, as well as their patients, can have confidence in the integrity of the drugs we deliver to them."