Senate Approves Bill To Extend State’s Medical Privacy Law to Pharmaceutical Companies
The Senate yesterday voted 27-12 to approve an Assembly-passed bill (AB 2191) that would require pharmaceutical companies to the adhere to the same medical privacy requirements as physicians, health insurance companies and pharmacists, the Associated Press reports (Associated Press, 8/20). The legislation would amend the state's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act to require pharmaceutical companies to obtain consent from patients before they disclose their medical records. The legislation would not allow pharmaceutical companies to require patients to provide consent before they can receive prescription drugs. The bill would allow the companies to require patients to provide access to their medical records to obtain treatments in limited supply in the United States and to participate in clinical trials and patient assistance programs (Bill analysis, 8/20). The bill moves back to the Assembly for final approval (Associated Press, 8/20).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.