RICHMOND
A state official says there are reports that some doctors are reluctant to prescribe powerful painkillers after an April hacker attack on a massive state-run drug database.
Legislators also learned that the former head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency was dismissed after refusing to pay a bill from the agency's contracted partner for work months past due.
Department of Health Professions Director Sandra Ryals told a House committee Monday that she has reports that some doctors are withholding prescriptions for powerful painkillers.
With the database intended to flag drug abuse and theft still offline, she said, some are being highly cautious about issuing the prescriptions. She said there have been no patient complaints about missing necessary drugs.
She said 35 million of the most sensitive prescription records were accessed on April 30. Officials still don't know how many contained Social Security numbers. The state sent 530,000 notices to people earlier this month that critical information may have been compromised.
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Put a Fraud alert
on the three reporting agencies. What makes so angry say this were a store or bank. The would normally give you a one free credit monitoring just like the last store I went.
That's the best they can do. No biggie just that someone can ruin are credit history for life...........
Hacking and the Northrop Grumman contract
Only risk can be reduced when it comes to the vulnerabilities of information systems. There is no such thing as a system that is not subject to cyber attacks. However, there are questions which should be asked of the State. Was an independent security assessment performed on the Northrop Grumman system prior to being commissioned? Are there configuration management policies used for the system? Are security configurations documented for repeatable assurance that security has been implemented upon replacement of parts, etc..
No company can assure a system complete mitigation against cyber attacks. Banks lose millions of dollars each year and DoD continues to have its systems violated by cyber attacks after millions have been spent to lower cyber risk. Should Northrop Grumman's contract be terminated? I would say no. Let them have a chance to answer questions and determine the area(s) of vulnerabilities. Another contract with a new company will not provide assurance that a successful attack will not happen again.
one more comment....
Pilot, you need to follow up on this article with information on WHAT is being done for the patients suffering unbearable pain who cannot get their medications!!!! This is NOT good reporting at all. Do you realize people in excruciating pain who cannot get relief often resort to suicide???
Oh wait -- maybe this is what we should get used to. An increase in suicide rates...
this is deplorable...but you all ain't seen nuthin' yet....
just wait until obummer has his 'nationalized healthcare'. See what people don't get then...everyone will know someone who is screaming in pain from not being able to get their meds. Everyone will know someone dying right before their eyes because they cannot get the care they need. But this is that hopenchange you all voted for. How do you like it so far??!!
for those who survive the new healthcare plan, you'll need it because that cap and trade he's going to shove through will take the REST of any money you have to pay for your energy [utility] use. More hopenchange -- gotta love it!
CANCEL NORTHROP GRUMMAN CONTRACT
This is simply outrageous -- the Northrop Grumman should be canceled.