CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger Give Cops & Govt Warrantless Access to Patient Records.

A congressional investigation led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has revealed some of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains have shared customer prescription records with law enforcement and government officials regardless of whether a warrant was obtained. As policy, CVS, Kroger, and Rite Aid – comprising over 60,000 pharmacies across the country – allow pharmacy staff to fulfill records requests directly. Other pharmacy chains require company lawyers to review requests first. While prescription records are covered under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – a medical privacy law –...