How Script Unlock Verifies Pharmacies
Every pharmacy on Script Unlock is independently licensed by their state board. Here's our verification process, what we check, and how patients are protected.
Every pharmacy holds a current license from the state board of pharmacy in the state where it operates.
Licensing cross-checked against NABP, state databases, DEA registration, and the OIG exclusion list.
Prescription data is encrypted end-to-end. Pharmacies see only what they need to fulfill the prescription.
Our Verification Standards
Script Unlock applies a multi-layer verification process to every pharmacy on the platform. We do not rely on self-reporting — every credential is independently checked against the issuing authority before a pharmacy can accept its first prescription.
- State board license verification
Every pharmacy license is verified directly with the issuing state board of pharmacy, and cross-referenced against NABP and state databases to confirm the license is current and free of disciplinary actions.
- DEA registration for controlled substances
Pharmacies that dispense controlled substances must hold an active DEA registration. We verify the DEA number is valid, matches the pharmacy address, and is in good standing.
- NABP accreditation check where applicable
Where a pharmacy holds NABP accreditation (such as Verified Pharmacy Program or .pharmacy domain status), we record and display it. NABP accreditation is preferred but not required if the pharmacy is otherwise fully state-licensed.
- Insurance and liability requirements
Pharmacies must carry active professional liability and pharmacist errors-and-omissions coverage appropriate to their dispensing volume and category (retail, compounding, specialty).
- Ongoing compliance monitoring
License status, DEA registration, and OIG exclusion list status are re-checked on a recurring basis. Any change in status flags the pharmacy for immediate review and, where required, suspension.
What We Check Before a Pharmacy Joins
Onboarding is a one-way door. A pharmacy that does not pass every check is not admitted. There are no exceptions, no “temporary” admissions, and no pay-to-list shortcuts.
Current, not expired, and free of active disciplinary actions or probationary conditions.
A real, inspectable, brick-and-mortar dispensing location. No PO boxes, no virtual offices, no anonymized addresses.
A named, licensed pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) registered with the state board for that pharmacy location.
The pharmacy and its owners/officers are screened against the federal HHS-OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.
Patient Protections
Verification is the floor, not the ceiling. Beyond licensing, Script Unlock structures the marketplace itself to protect patients from the things that go wrong in traditional prescription markets.
- Pharmacies cannot see competing bids
Bidding is blind. Each pharmacy submits its price independently — it cannot see what other pharmacies have offered. This eliminates collusion and forces real competition on the actual cash price.
- Payment held until fulfillment confirmed
Patient payment is held until the prescription is filled and the patient confirms receipt. Pharmacies are paid on confirmed fulfillment, not on bid acceptance — protecting patients from undelivered prescriptions.
- HIPAA-compliant data handling
Prescription images and patient identifiers are encrypted in transit and at rest. Pharmacies receive only the minimum protected health information required to quote and fulfill the prescription.
- Dispute resolution process
If a prescription is not delivered as quoted, the wrong medication or quantity arrives, or the pharmacy fails to communicate, patients can open a formal dispute. Script Unlock investigates, refunds where appropriate, and applies penalties to the pharmacy — up to permanent removal from the platform.
Red Flags We Screen For
The internet is full of pharmacy-shaped operations that are not, in fact, pharmacies. Script Unlock's screening is designed to keep the bad actors out. Any of the following will result in immediate disqualification.
- No PO Box addresses
Pharmacies dispensing prescriptions must operate from a verifiable physical address. PO boxes, mailbox services, and virtual offices are not eligible.
- No unlicensed online dispensing
Online-only operations without a state-board-licensed dispensing pharmacy behind them are not admitted. We do not list foreign mail-order operations that ship into the US without proper licensing.
- No prescriptions issued without a valid provider
Every prescription on Script Unlock must originate from a licensed prescriber with a legitimate prescriber-patient relationship. Pharmacies are required to verify the prescription before bidding, and may not accept prescriptions issued without a valid provider relationship.
What Patients Say
Trustpilot reviews coming soon. Script Unlock will publish independent patient reviews here as the platform scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Script Unlock verify pharmacies?
Script Unlock cross-references every pharmacy against state board of pharmacy licensing databases, the NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy), DEA registration records for controlled substances, and the OIG exclusion list. We verify the pharmacy license is current, the physical address is real, and a pharmacist-in-charge is on record. We re-check licensing status on an ongoing basis.
Are all pharmacies on Script Unlock licensed?
Yes. Every pharmacy listed on Script Unlock holds a current, valid pharmacy license issued by the state board of pharmacy where it operates. Pharmacies dispensing controlled substances also hold an active DEA registration. We do not list unlicensed sellers, foreign mail-order operations, or pharmacies with active disciplinary actions.
What happens if a pharmacy doesn't meet standards?
Pharmacies that fail to meet our standards at onboarding are not admitted to the platform. Pharmacies whose license lapses, who are added to the OIG exclusion list, or who become subject to a state board disciplinary action are suspended from the platform pending review and may be permanently removed. Patients with affected open prescriptions are notified and rerouted.
Is Script Unlock a pharmacy?
No. Script Unlock is a prescription price comparison platform. We do not dispense medications, store inventory, ship prescriptions, or employ pharmacists. Every prescription is filled by an independently licensed pharmacy operating under its own state board of pharmacy license and its own pharmacist-in-charge.
Platform scope
Script Unlock is a prescription price comparison platform. We do not dispense medications, employ pharmacists, or provide medical advice. Every prescription is filled by an independently licensed pharmacy. Always consult your prescriber or pharmacist about your medication.