Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Drug reminder bill killed
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A4
Citing privacy concerns, the Assembly Health Committee unanimously voted down legislation Tuesday that would have allowed pharmacies in California to partner with drug companies to send out letters reminding patients to refill their prescriptions.
Privacy advocates charged that Senate Bill 1096 by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, would have opened the door for pharmaceutical companies to promote their products in the guise of the reminder letters.
The bill was sponsored by Adheris Inc. The Massachusetts medical information company is facing an invasion of privacy class-action suit that alleges some practices the legislation would have made legal.
Calderon, who has received more than $21,000 in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy chains, told the committee the bill was inspired by the death of his mother, who suffered a stroke after failing to take her medication.
He said the legislation would have helped patients remember to take their medications, improved their health and reduced health care costs.
– Aurelio Rojas, Bee Capitol Bureau
Recommend this story at Yahoo! Buzz:
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in Politics
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Living Here |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | e-edition | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com | SacWineRegion.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000