SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Direct Relief has been reaccredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) as a Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD), through the rigorous national accreditation program developed to help secure the integrity of U.S. drug supply chain, protect public health, and ensure compliance with all national and state licensure requirements, applicable statutes and regulations, and industry-leading practices. The California-based nonprofit organization was the first U.S. nonprofit to obtain VAWD certification in 2009. It remains the only nonprofit licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 U.S. states and conducts the country's largest nonprofit charitable medicines program. Three U.S. states require VAWD accreditation as a condition for obtaining a state license to distribute prescription medications. "We were pleased when Direct Relief became the only nonprofit to obtain VAWD accreditation several years ago and we are pleased to have met the heightened standards that now exist," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "The accreditation reflects a significant, sustained investment and Direct Relief's commitment to meeting the highest standards of care, legal and regulatory compliance, and best industry practices the standards do not change because they are done by a nonprofit organization on a … Continue reading →