Uses and abuses of prescription drug information in pharmacy benefits management programs

Authors
Citation
B. Lo et A. Alpers, Uses and abuses of prescription drug information in pharmacy benefits management programs, J AM MED A, 283(6), 2000, pp. 801-806
Citations number
43
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ISSN journal
00987484 → ACNP
Volume
283
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
801 - 806
Database
ISI
SICI code
0098-7484(20000209)283:6<801:UAAOPD>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
A 1998 incident in which patients' prescription information was used to adv ertise anew drug exemplifies the importance of confidentiality in the era o f managed care and computers. The ethical concerns voiced about this incide nt can also apply to pharmacy benefits management programs. The use of pers onal health information in pharmacy benefits management is particularly imp ortant because of increased pressures to control rising drug costs. Specifi c confidentiality concerns include whether the goal of benefiting patients will be achieved and whether the means are appropriate. The means may be pr oblematic because of financial conflicts of interest, lack of patient autho rization, inappropriate access to information by third parties, and inadequ ate safeguards for confidentiality. Policies should be crafted that protect confidentiality while allowing appropriate use of personal health informat ion in pharmacy benefits management. Sound policies should require clear ev idence of benefit to patients, an oversight committee, patient authorizatio n, disclosure or prohibition of conflicts of interest, additional safeguard s for sensitive medical conditions, strong confidentiality protections, and restrictions on advertising.