Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9385

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

PMA recommends policy on patient confidentiality in prescription databases
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 1993 Feb; 50:208

Abstract:

A policy on patient confidentiality in prescription databases as recommended by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PMA) is discussed. Manufacturers use commercial, computerized databases of prescription records to track prescribing and dispensing patterns. PMA says more sensitivity to confidentiality concerns is needed today because the available databases are more accurate and more comprehensive. The PMA policy says databases should not contain patients’ names or any information that would disclose the identity of any specific patient.