Do You Want Google To Have Access to Your Prescription Records?

by Ben Parr

Google just got access to millions of prescription records, and most likely, so did you.

GoogleGoogle reviews announced today that CVS/pharmacy, one of the largest pharmacy chains in the U.S., has partnered with Google Health to provide patients online access to their prescription drug history through Google Health accounts. This is in addition to Walgreens Pharmacy, Meijer, Medco, and other national pharmacies.

If you purchased prescription drugs from any of these chains, Google can access that information in its never ending goal to organize the world’s information and make it accessible and useful. But is Google having access to private prescription drug information a step too far?

For those who have not used Google Health, it currently allows you to import your medical records from over a dozen pharmacies, medical centers, and health insurance providers. Once imported, you can review those records and keep them updated, with the help of Google and its partners.

With the CVS announcement, Google now has access to the detailed prescription history information of more than 100 million patients. In addition to allowing users to access their medical history, Google also says that it will use this information and partnerships for patient safety and increasing the efficiency of health care.

This same data is also very sensitive and personal. People with a history of mental conditions and embarrassing deficiencies may now have to worry about Google using that information in statistical analysis or more (prescription drug ads anyone?). And all of this is in addition to the information Google can import from medical devices like heart rate monitors.

Can Google do more good than harm with sensitive medical information, or is this infringing on the privacy of individuals? How Google uses this information is something everyone should watch. Let us know what you think in the comments.

---