Businessweek reports on the Partnership to Advance Clinical Electronic Research (PACeR), one of an array of programs created across the U.S. "as medical providers, software vendors and health data businesses seek ways to profit" from electronic health data. While federal law does not allow providers and insurers to disclose patients' identifying information, the report notes that drug companies can pay PACeR "to query the records systems of participating hospitals to compile a list of patients who match a trial's requirements" and, once gaining required approvals, access personal information with patient consent. While PACeR officials stress there will be no central database, privacy advocates are concerned about the potential for breaches and third-party access. 
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