Physicians, lawmakers wary of pharma data mining
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
May 23, 2007
Physicians and lawmakers in several states are trying to block a pharmaceutical practice of mining data to learn about physician prescribing practices. Opponents of the tactic fear it gives private companies inappropriate access to sensitive medical data and could improperly influence a patient's prescription, according to a Washington Post article.
The companies maintain that the data mining helps to target marketing, which reduces drug costs, and also gives them an opportunity to educate physicians about alternative treatments.
