Multiple pharmacy chains in the United States including CVS Health, Kroger, and Walgreens Boots Alliance are handing over patients’ medical records to law enforcement agencies without warrants, according to a new congressional investigation.
The congressional review of eight major pharmacy chains’ privacy practices related to law enforcement demands for patient records began in June in response to “an outpouring of concern from Americans about health privacy and surveillance,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) wrote in a letter to Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on Dec. 12.
