Article: Suit charges Prozac privacy violations -

Over the years, there have been a series of stories like this one ..

Suit charges Prozac privacy violations - (United Press International):

"Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jul. 15 (UPI) -- Court papers filed this week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., show pharmaceutical companies mailed unsolicited doses of Prozac to potential customers.

A deposition filed in a privacy suit brought by some of the recipients of the anti-depressant said the companies got the names and addresses from physicians, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday.

In one case, Dr. Ken Burke admitted supplying his signature on a blank piece of office stationery that a company representative, a frequent fishing companion, attached to the free drugs. Two other doctors from the same office also said they provided their signatures.

The trial packages of a new weekly form of Prozac were sent mostly to users of the standard medication but at least one recipient -- a 16-year-old boy -- had never used anti-depressants.

The suit has also prompted a criminal investigation by the state and criticism from consumer advocates who say it is an example of the improper relationship between doctors and drug companies.

Thanks to Privacy.Org for the pointer to this article.