You'd think it would be a given. You go to the pharmacy and pick up your prescription, secure in the knowledge that the only people who know what medications you're on are you, your doctor, and your pharmacist.

Not so.

Oh, and add these to the list—the name and address of your doctor, your name and address, AND your social security number.

Major chains like Walgreen's and CVS have been accused of buying and selling your personal information. It's a major money-maker, too—one data-mining company made over a billion dollars last year.

Not only is this a major violation of the privacy we should be able to expect from everyone who has a hand in tending to our health, but it can also lead to some pretty heartbreaking situations.

Like the woman who received three unsuccessful in vitro procedures, and for the past 10 years has received age- appropriate marketing for the child she never had. It started with ads for diapers, then discounts on family photos, and recently has been receiving recommendations on what to give a child about to graduate from elementary school.

Almost every day, a painful reminder of the baby she was unable to conceive.

The federal stimulus law enacted in February actually contains some protections against this very thing— prohibiting the sale of personal health information, with exceptions for things like research (with patient permission). The trouble is...these protections have to be enforced.

Government agencies are still working on writing the regulations called for with the stimulus law. Of course, data-mining companies are fighting these rules tooth-and- nail.

So a little push may be needed—you can bet I'll be getting in touch with my representatives to demand my privacy be fully protected.

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