Drugstores owned by Albertson's and Osco are being sued for using deceiving marketing tactics. The customer advocacy group, the San Diego-based Privacy Rights Clearing house (PRC), is accusing these drug stores of sharing customer's private information such as names, addresses and even the prescriptions they are taking. And the invasion of privacy doesn't stop there. After they gather the information, they use it to solicit customers both by phone and through the mail.

PRC claims pharmaceutical companies were paying Albertson's and Osco to write letters or call customers urging them to:

• Take their medications
• Refill their prescriptions
• Renew expired prescriptions
• Switch from generic drugs to more expensive drugs

Reports stated Albertson's was paid between $3 and $4.50 a letter and between $12 and $15 per call made to customers.

A letter received by an Albertson's customer was obtained by the PRC. It read: "Our records indicate your prescription for Plavix is about to run out. You should also know that there are no refills left on your prescription." At the bottom of the letter was a disclaimer noting that the mailing was supported by the drug company (not Albertson's), and that the customer could utilize the option to be taken off the mailing list.

PRC pointed out the company was deceiving customers into believing the letter was from Albertson's, rather than the drug company itself.

Albertson's has denied all of the charges against them and states, "We highly value and respect the privacy of our pharmacy customers and do not sell, nor have we ever sold, their private information." They also plan to strongly defend themselves against allegations.

Forbes September 9, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Once again here is a prime example how pharmaceutical companies will do just about anything to score some cash. In the process, they'll buy the loyalty of your doctors, pay off your elected state officials and ignore federal law. Drug companies seem to have every angle covered. In fact, they not only encourage you to ask your doctor for specific drugs through direct TV ads that may include misleading information, they also encourage your doctors to prescribe their drugs. Study after study has found that drug company representatives greatly influence the prescribing habits of doctors. But I know we are all smart enough to realize such tactics. The key to avoiding all misleading and deception linked to medications and drug companies, is to stay away from the drug model completely. Keep seeking the truth with natural solutions that address the cause of your health problems. Understand that the traditional medical paradigm is fatally flawed. Relying on drugs and surgeries to correct diseases caused by poor diet and stress is a prescription for disaster. In order to keep your body's systems working at their optimum level, without the use of drugs, you must give your body the proper fuel. This includes: Eating pure whole foods, not the highly processed concoctions that line most supermarket shelves Getting enough sleep Exercising regularly Addressing emotional stress with a method such as EFT In time, the truth will naturally come out, but it is my vision and passion to facilitate the spread of the truth now. You can take control of your health and your life and free yourself from needless drugs. There is no secret potion needed, only basic health principles. Related Articles: How Could Drug Companies be so Evil? Drug Companies Triple Money on Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads FDA Slow to Pursue Deceptive Drug Commercials Consumer Drug Ads Not Properly Monitored Prescription Drugs Devastating America's Pocketbooks by 50% More!