Are your clients asking you to write a prescription for an unfamiliar pharmacy? Do you wonder about the status of a pharmacy's license? Have you had trouble with an Internet pharmacy and are curious about its disciplinary history?

Answers to your questions are minutes away; just query your state board of pharmacy. To find contact information for your state, visit the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy at www.nabp.net, click on the "Who We Are" section, and then on "Boards of Pharmacy." Most boards have detailed information on their Web site, including license status and disciplinary history of pharmacies in their state.

Last year, for example, the Florida Department of Health's Board of Pharmacy disciplined PetMed Express Inc. and Savemax Inc. (see JAVMA, June 1, 2002, page 1583). Visitors to the Florida site, www.doh.state.fl.us/pharmacy/drugs/index.html, can find information about disciplinary action taken and the status of Savemax's license, which is now closed.

Individuals without Internet access who want to get in touch with their state board of pharmacy can call the NABP at (847) 698-6227 for state contact information.