HIPAA Allows Pharmacies to Sell Patient Data

Because of a loophole in US’ Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), your neighbourhood pharmacy may be selling your information to drug manufacturers.

“They may even be recommending a medication to you that reacts badly to the medication you’re already on, causing you more harm than good,” said Dr. Rupin Thakkar of the Coalition for Prescribing Integrity (King5.com).

A bill is currently being considered to address the issue. If passed, pharmacies could be slapped with a $1,000 fine for violating the bill.

But what’s a $1,000 fine in light of the money pharmacies would be making by selling your information? Probably chump change.

Because the US lacks definitive and enforceable federal privacy legislation, it relies on ad-hoc situations like these for legislation to be written and come into effect.

Organizations need to take the initiative to respect their customers’, clients’, and patients’ data — but if it’s not legally required, what organization would turn down the offer to sell data for cash?

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