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Walgreen Co.

ArchivedSubmitted 02/03/2017
State
IL
Covered entity type
Healthcare Provider
Individuals affected
4,500
Business associate present
No
Type of breach
Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
Location of breached information
Paper/Films
First seen by InfoSec Signals
9/23/2026
Last seen in OCR export
9/23/2026

OCR description

The covered entity (CE), Walgreens, sent an improperly formatted survey letter to individuals so that protected health information (PHI) was visible in the addressee window of the envelope. The visible PHI included recent prescription histories, clinical, and demographic data affecting 4,500 individuals in 49 states. Following the breach, the CE conducted an investigation to determine the root cause of the breach, revised quality control steps for mailings that contain PHI, and retrained department staff on its revised procedures. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media and posted a substitute notice on the home page of its website. OCR obtained documented assurances that the CE implemented the corrective actions noted above.

Change history

  • 9/23/2026Added to OCR's archive list

Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights about this source

Records are reproduced as published; entity names and figures are OCR's.

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