Patients: Pharmacy2U case could undermine trust in sector
Charity the Patients Association says the sale of data by the online pharmacy was "completely unacceptable"
EXCLUSIVE
Pharmacy2U's sale of customer data could "undermine trust in the sector", a patient body has warned.
The £130,000 fine imposed on the online pharmacy last month for selling patient names and addresses to marketing companies "does not reflect the severity of the case", charity the Patients Association told C+D last week (October 29).
"In this technological age, data protection is an increasing concern for the Patients Association," said chief executive Katherine Murphy. "Patient confidentiality is a fundamental concept in healthcare."
“It is the right of patients to have their information kept securely," said Ms Murphy, who branded Pharmacy2U's actions "competely unacceptable".
"I hope this case will lead to increased protection of patient data," she added.
Ms Murphy's comments echoed those of pharmacy minister Alistair Burt, who told C+D last month that Pharmacy2U's behaviour "adds to the impression" that access to patient information "is about making money".
The Health and Social Care Information Centre told C+D last week that it has not decided whether online pharmacies will be included in its rollout of the summary care records access to every English pharmacy, due to begin this month.
“It is the right of patients to have their information kept securely," said Ms Murphy, who branded Pharmacy2U's actions "competely unacceptable".
"I hope this case will lead to increased protection of patient data," she added.
Ms Murphy's comments echoed those of pharmacy minister Alistair Burt, who told C+D last month that Pharmacy2U's behaviour "adds to the impression" that access to patient information "is about making money".
The Health and Social Care Information Centre told C+D last week that it has not decided whether online pharmacies will be included in its rollout of the summary care records access to every English pharmacy, due to begin this month.
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