Press Release : PPLA
Change Healthcare Cyberattack Demonstrates the Need for Printed Medication Information
Washington, D.C. (June 14, 2024) – The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA) is highlighting how the recent cyberattack against Change Healthcare demonstrates why printed healthcare information is so important and how going digital could have dire consequences.
Recently, a cyberattack froze billions of UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare transactions, and patients across America lost access to their prescriptions and may have had private medical records leaked. This is yet another example of healthcare providers being the target of cyber attacks, compromising millions of Americans’ health records.
However, a proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule would make health information more vulnerable to cyber threats. The FDA recently proposed a rule that would eventually push Patient Medication Information (PMI), the medication guides detailing a drug’s instructions and potential side effects, online and coerce patients into clicking a link or scanning a QR code to access the information they need to stay healthy. This would make it easier for cybercriminals to block access to PMI. Printed versions remain necessary to avoid the life-threatening consequences of cyberattacks on patient safety.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are working to protect printed medication information. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle led by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Jared Golden (D-ME), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) have introduced the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act (H.R. 1173) to preserve printed versions of PMI and maintain access to life-saving medication information in the event of a cyberattack. H.R. 1173 requires drug manufacturers to provide printed PMI, approved by the FDA, for every American taking prescription medications.
The Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association
Chartered in 2001, the PPLA serves as the voice for our members, advocating for patient safety and risk communication by fighting to keep information on paper and readily accessible for patients and caregivers. This information helps drive the patient involvement model of health care, helping patients get the maximum benefits from the powerful drugs they take while minimizing risk.For more information about PPLA, click here.