A recent article in Bloomberg News gives an overview of a recently filed lawsuit wherein CVS Caremark Corp., the largest U.S. provider of prescription drugs, was sued over claims it used confidential prescription information to push products on behalf of pharmaceutical makers.
The drug store chain is being accused of violating the privacy and rights of its customers by sending letters to customers’ physicians promoting specific medications, according to the lawsuit. CVS allegedly identified customers by name, date of birth and medications taken by drawing on information obtained via CVS pharmacy services.
The suit was brought by Richboro, AP resident Arthur Steinberg and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund. “While touted as an ‘RxReview Program’ by defendant CVS Caremark, in reality the physician communications were nothing more than a profit-making opportunity,” Steinberg said in the complaint.
There is a history of CVS showing poor judgment with regards to customer privacy issues. In February, 2009, the company agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle federal charges its employees compromised customer privacy by throwing prescription bottles and records into open trash dumpsters. This payment settled civil charges that CVS violated HIPAA.
According to a spokesperson for CVS, they have not yet been served with the claim and can’t comment. They have said, however, that, “CVS Caremark places a high priority on protecting the privacy of our customers and members.”
The suit seeks unspecified damages and class action status for the case. It is styled as Arthur Steinberg v. CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS), #110300253 in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.
