2015 Email Breach may Have affected 1,049 Patients at RoxSan Pharmacy

by | Mar 21, 2018

RoxSan Pharmacy has made contact with 1,049 patients to advise them that some of their protected health information has been shared with to a business associate via unencrypted email.

The notification letters were issued to affected people last month, although the incident happened on January 20, 2015. In a recent press announcement, Beverly Hills, CA-basedRoxSan outlined that affected people are being alerted in “as timely a manner as possible”. The delay in sending notifications was due to “the protected nature of the forensic investigation”. It is not obvious when RoxSan Pharmacy became aware of the mistake.

The protected health information was attached in a data file that was sent to a single person – A business associate of the pharmacy – who was employed in the legal field. That person had signed a business associate agreement with the pharmacy and was knowledgeable  of the responsibilities of HIPAA with respect to patients’ PHI. However, the PHI was share as the data file was transmitted via unencrypted email.

The data file only held a restricted amount of protected health information and did not incorporate patient names, personal identification information, Social Security numbers, or financial details.

The information was regarding to patients who had prescriptions ordered between April 2015 and August 2015 and was restricted to prescription information, drug information, insurance information, physicians’ names, and patient identification details.

RoxSan has not been in receipt of any reports that suggest the data has been intercepted and misused. Patients have been told what steps they can take to safeguard their identities and monitor for fraudulent use of their information as a precautionary measure.

The pharmacy has already taken action to enhance its operational protections to prevent any further breaches of this nature from happening.

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Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy is a highly accomplished journalist and editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. With expertise in writing and editing content, Patrick has made significant contributions to various publications and organizations. Over the course of his career, Patrick has successfully managed teams of writers, overseeing the production of high-quality content and ensuring its adherence to professional standards. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of journalistic principles, have allowed him to create cohesive and engaging narratives that resonate with readers. A notable area of specialization for Patrick lies in compliance, particularly in relation to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He has authored numerous articles delving into the complexities of compliance and its implications for various industries. Patrick's comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations has positioned him as a go-to expert, sought after for his insights and expertise in this field. Patrick's bachelors degree is from the University of Limerick and his master's degree in journalism is from Dublin City University. You can contact Patrick through his LinkedIn profile:

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