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Despite all efforts to preserve the confidentiality of private medical information Americans can reasonably assume that their records may be on the shelves at Target stores (or any other well-heeled operation with a pharmacy) right along with detergent and cameras.

Patient info for sale

Randee Lonergan filled her prescriptions at the same pharmacy for years. But a month ago she was shocked to find the pharmacy closed and all her family's medical records sold to a nearby Target store in Levittown.

Her information was sold legally because of a loophole in medical privacy law that allows pharmacies to "auction off" customer records - including prescriptions, information about medical conditions, Social Security numbers and insurance records - "to the highest bidder," Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday.

The practice of selling off records, Schumer said, is a nationwide problem. Federal law requires doctors to let patients know when their medical history is being shared. But the law allows pharmacies to sell patient information to other pharmacies, Schumer said.

From Newsday.com

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