I seem to recall that there was a case reported in the Times a few years ago
(Dec 99) where a number of GP's and pharmacists were exchanging patient and
prescription information with a medical research company. Basically, the
GPs were providing the drug company with patient details and name of drug
prescribed and then a check was made with the pharmacist to see what was
actually dispensed. The case was heard under the old 1984 Act and I think
it was brought by the local NHS trust who were concerned at the breach of
patient confidentiality. I can't exactly remember the outcome (maybe
someone else can) but I think (surprisingly) the case went against the NHS
trust. Might be worth looking up. (I'm pretty certain it was towards the
end of December 1999.
regards,
Kevin Broadfoot
Principal Consultant
Baltimore Technologies (UK) Ltd, Innovation House, Mark Road, Hemel
Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7DN, England
Tel: +44 (0) 1442 342600 Fax: +44 (0) 1442 212513
E-mail mailto:[log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: Morton, Alison [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 26 November 2001 12:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Drug Companies
Dear all
What would your advice be regarding drug companies sponsoring a health
professional to undertake a review of medications within GP practices?
Obviously no changes could be made without the authority of the GP. The
sponsored health professional would have open access to the GP
administration system and would be able to suggest changes to patients'
medications. This may or may not financially benefit the practice but I
would think would always benefit the sponsor. As a patient I would not be
at all happy to think that commercial companies had access even by a health
professional (however secure) to my details. If informed I would object to
the processing but could they go ahead and justify it by para 6(1) Sch 2
and para 8(1) and (2) therefore not requiring my consent.
Alison Morton
Data Protection Officer
4 Barns Park
AYR KA7 2AJ
Tel: 01292 513722
Fax: 01292 513725
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