The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.
The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.
For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.
Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.
The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.
This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
The Toronto Star is reporting on a controversy brewing after the Canadian Pharmacists Society has issued guidelines to its members on prescribing Plan B, also known as the "morning after pill". The guidelines call on pharmacists to collect and hold onto personal information from the patient, including information on sexual history. No other over the counter medication requires this and pharmacists are proposing to add a "consultation fee" of $20 on top of the price of the drug.
I have done a lot of looking at privacy practices in Canadian pharmacies and compliance with privacy laws is spotty, at best. If you accept that this information in necessary for the proper dispensing of Plan B, pharmacists will still need to make sure that this consultation takes place in private. Many pharmacies, particularly in the large chains, have built consultation rooms but I have yet to see one actually used while sensitive health information is routinely discussed over the counter within earshot of other customers.
Read the Star article here: TheStar.com - Morning-after pill privacy concerns raised.
Labels: health information, information breaches
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