In British Columbia, Canada, new legislation has been passed which according to Health Minister George Abbott, prohibits disclosure of information from electronic databases for market research and allows individuals access to their own health records and medical information.
Abbott says that British Columbia is the first province in Canada to create such a legal framework governing access and privacy for electronic health information databases. While other provinces have legislation governing personal health information, British Columbia intends to extend the existing Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act with its new e-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act.
The act specifically bars the disclosure of information from electronic databases for market research purposes, while creating a Data Stewardship Committee that will evaluate requests for the disclosure of data for health research or planning purposes.
Full story – MrWeb.com