After an investigation, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) found Pharmacyrepublic Limited breached the Data Protection Act when a Patient Medication Record system was stolen from one of its locations during a move. According to an ICO press release, the system contained medication details of approximately 2,000 patients and was password-protected. An ICO representative said, "This incident should act as a warning to all healthcare providers--your data protection obligations do not end while the personal information of your patients remains on site and in your control." The company is updating its procedures. Meanwhile, a Chronicle News report outlines three breaches at North East councils, including a USB stick lost by the Northumberland council and two in Newcastle involving information on children and vulnerable adults.
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