Congress Investigation Finds That Pharmarcies Are Providing Police With Patients Medicine Records Without Warrants

A new investigation has found that CVS and other pharmacies have been handing over patients’ prescription records.

Congress launched a probe, which found that law enforcement agencies were accessing sensitive medical information without warrants using what appears to be bullying tactics. They were met with little resistance from the pharmacies. A Congressional letter penned to the Department of Health and Human Services, which was signed by Senator Ron Wyden, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, shared they found at least eight national pharmacy chains that have released private patient information to police.

“Through briefings with the major pharmacies, we learned that each year, law enforcement agencies secretly obtain the prescription records of thousands of Americans without a warrant. In many cases, pharmacies are handing over sensitive medical records without review by a legal professional,” the letter read.

CVS and Kroger reportedly contended that their employees are qualified to handle these inquiries and can contact legal departments with any questions. Surprisingly, Amazon Pharmacy was the only pharmaceutical company with a policy in place that notifies customers when law enforcement requests their medicine records.

Congresswoman Jayapal’s office said the probe’s results are “extremely troubling.”

“It is critically important that the public understands how their records are being turned over without warrants and that the public is able to push back immediately,” the office stated.

In light of these findings, Walgreens, Kroger, and CVS have shared they will begin creating annual reports about the police requests they receive and fulfill regarding patients’ healthcare.