Present Panel on State Successes; Pass Resolutions to Protect Privacy and Limit Marketing Uses of Health Info

July 28, 2008 - Legislators meeting in New Orleans at last week’s annual NCSL summit amended two policy documents to specifically protect the interests of patients and prescribers.  A Memorial on E-Prescribing was adopted including language offered by Maine Rep. Sharon Treat that e-prescribing best practices be developed “including measures to protect patient and prescriber privacy and to insure that electronic prescribing software is not used for marketing purposes.”

A companion Resolution on Health Information Technology was amended by New Hampshire Rep. Cindy Rosenwald to clarify that the ultimate decision-maker regarding the uses of a patient’s health information is in fact the patient herself, in consultation with her health care provider. Delegate Karen Montgomery of Maryland offered a strong amendment which was also adopted, to insure that electronically stored health information is not used for marketing purposes.   Delegate Montgomery’s amendment clarified that “uses of stored data should be limited to treatment, payment, public health and research."  A panel sponsored by NLARx and the Prescription Project showcased the leadership role of states tackling the marketing might of Big Pharma. MORE>>