CVS Caremark Accused of Sharing Private Consumer Information to Promote Medications

CVS Caremark has been sued for allegedly using confidential prescription information to promote specific medications, according to a Bloomberg report.

The suit was filed by Arthur Steinberg of Richboro, Penn., and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County.

It alleges that CVS violated the privacy and rights of consumers by mailing letters to customers' physicians that promoted specific medications. The lawsuit says CVS identified consumers by their names, dates of birth and medications taken — information obtained through the company's pharmacy services. The complaint also alleges that CVS was paid for the promotion of drugs by Merck & Co., AstraZeneca Plc and Bayer AG, according to the report.

The lawsuit, which accuses CVS of unjust enrichment and violating unfair trade practices and consumer protection laws, is seeking unspecified damages and class-action status.

Read the Bloomberg report on CVS Caremark.

Read more coverage on pharmaceutical fraud:

- Former Johnson & Johnson Employee Files Whistleblower Suit Alleging Medicaid Fraud

- Elan Pharmaceuticals Faces $97M Fine After Pleading Guilty to Off-Label Marketing of Epilepsy Drug

- 5 Pharmaceutical Drugmakers Pay North Carolina $25M for Off-Label Marketing, Kickbacks

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