Cybersecurity breach underscores critical need for robust data protection measures
London Drugs hacking incident demonstrates the need to protect sensitive data and operations in the life sciences (1,120 words, 5.5 minutes)
At the end of April, London Drugs discovered a major cybersecurity breach. Clint Mahlman, President and COO of the Richmond, B.C.-based retail pharmacy chain, said he doesn’t believe customer data was compromised. Nonetheless, operations—including prescription filling—remained temporarily suspended while third-party cybersecurity experts investigated the breach. This cyberattack is just the latest evidence of the importance of cybersecurity measures.
The American Hospital Association recognizes that one of the primary concerns in pharmaceutical cybersecurity is the protection of patient data, including personal information, medical histories, and treatment plans. Patient privacy breaches could expose companies to regulatory penalties and legal liabilities, according to the magazine U.S. Pharmacist. Other consequences of data breaches may include significant financial loss, reputational damage, operational downtime, government investigations, and legal actions.
Another example is the Morley Companies breach in 2021. Morley Companies, a third-party provider of business services that processes information for health plans across the United States, experienced a ransomware attack in Aug. 2021. The breach exposed over 600,000 individual patient records. The company eventually reached a US$4.3 million settlement with the people affected by the data theft.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine notes that in addition to patient data, pharma companies must also protect proprietary information, such as research and development data, intellectual property, and manufacturing processes. This information could be a target for cybercriminals seeking to profit from selling or exploiting those assets. In 2020, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Medicines Agency announced that it had been subject to a cyberattack and that some documents relating to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine had been unlawfully accessed. Pfizer said they did not believe any participants' personal data had been compromised.
According to regulatory solutions and services company Freyr Global Regulatory Solutions and Services, cybersecurity must address vulnerabilities across the supply chain. Some strategies include conducting regular risk assessments, implementing strong authentication and access control measures, comprehensive employee training to reduce human error, regular security audits to identify and fix weaknesses in the system, and having a solid incident response plan to address hacks or breaches.
Regulatory compliance is also a key consideration in pharma cybersecurity. Companies must adhere to industry-specific regulations such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant financial penalties and damage to the company’s reputation.
THIS WEEK 05/14/24
The U.S. FDA approved Azurity Pharmaceuticals’ mycophenolate mofetil (Myhibbin), an antimetabolite immunosuppressant used to protect a donated organ from rejection from the body’s immune response.
ViiV Healthcare announced Health Canada approved cabotegravir tablets and extended-release injectable suspension (Apretude ) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in at-risk individuals who are HIV-1 negative.
Health Canada granted approval to Merck’s pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma in adult patients.
Health Canada approved AbbVie’s atogepant (Qulipta), a small-molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, to prevent migraine in adults with at least four migraine days per month.
LISTEN UP
In season 12 of the NPC Podcast, Milva D’Aronco, Founding Member at Women Leaders in Pharma, gives insights into the importance of mentorship, coaching women on confidence, and diversity as a long-term profit driver. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. In Healthbiz Rewind, you’ll read bold life sci predictions made during the renowned “Prognostication Korner” segment of the NPC Podcast.
Dr. Karen Lee
President and CEO
Parkinson Canada
Toronto
Season 03, episode 01
Listen to this episode here
What should the pharma industry focus on? What must they do to help build an ecosystem and work with health charities? (This episode was recorded in January of 2021)
From my lens and where I sit, we want to work with everybody. I want to hear [everybody] because we all have the same goals at the end of the day. We’re not competitors. I recommend contacting the charities associated with the specific disease area you’re working on. I know that they probably want to hear from you and that, collectively, we can be a stronger voice together. I think that’s the piece that for many years has been missing. We went off and did our own things but always kept an eye on one another. As these new regulations come into play, we all feel that the patient's voice and the patients are not being heard in the right way. So, I think collectively, together, we can be stronger.
Register now for the NPC Spring Webinar on Pharmacare
🔔 Upcoming Webinar: National Pharmaceutical Congress Spring Webinar on Pharmacare – May 29 🔔
Topic: Unpacking Bill C-64: Myths, Realities, and the Future of Canadian Pharmacare
As Canada buzzes with discussions on the proposed national #Pharmacare program, join us for a crucial session to demystify the complexities surrounding Bill C-64. This is your chance to dive deep into the critical issues at the heart of this national debate.
What to Expect:
Expert Panel Discussion: Hear from leading experts who will explore the pressing concerns related to drug shortages, their impact on workplace benefits, and the pharmaceutical industry: Dr. Mihai (Mike) Csaki of the Council for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education, patient advocate Zal Press, and consultant and board member Pamela Fralick, former president of Innovative Medicines Canada—Médicaments novateurs Canada.
- Fact vs. Fiction: Gain clarity on the myths and realities of how a national pharmacare program could reshape healthcare in Canada.
- Comparative Insights: Learn from existing universal drug plans to understand the potential outcomes of the proposed policy.
Interactive Q&A Session: Our panellists will answer your questions in real-time. This is your chance to voice your concerns and get direct feedback from healthcare leaders. The moderators are Mitchell Shannon of Chronicle Companies and Ben Parry of The Pangaea Group. The NPC Institute organizes the event and background research.
📅 Date: May 29, 2024
🕒 Time: 11:00 a.m. EDT
📍 Location: Online – Join from anywhere!
This free webinar is a must-attend for healthcare life sciences managers and executives, policymakers, industry experts, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare in Canada. Whether you support the bill, oppose it, or seek more information, this event will provide valuable insights into one of the most significant healthcare reforms under consideration.
✅ Register now to secure your spot.
👥 Please share this event with colleagues and anyone who might benefit from this critical discussion.
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