Health files privacy fear

DRUG companies could gain access to confidential medical records, under plans to open the Federal Government’s digital databank.

The loophole is exposed in a new Health Department document canvassing the “secondary use” of millions of medical files kept in the My Health Record database.

Electronic medical records can be used for “research and health purposes” – but it is illegal to use them “solely for commercial and non healthrelated purposes”.

But the Health Department has revealed companies could access sensitive health information due to an overlap between uses.

“For example, use of data for development of pharmaceuticals could be considered both a health related and commercial purpose,” it states.

It says health records will only be handed over for research if they are “deidentified”, but warns researchers have the ability to “re-identify” patients.

AMA vice-president Tony Bartone said only anonymous records should be accessed.