Department of Health and Community Services Data Breach (2015)

Newfoundland and Labrador's health department is reporting a privacy breach involving six individuals who avail of the prescription drug program. Of the 21,000 letters sent to beneficiaries on June 29, six people were sent letters intended for someone else. In a news release, the Department of Health and Community Services said the letters contain names, mailing addresses, MCP numbers and the co-pay percentage. The mailing, conducted by Bell, was to notify recipients to their eligibility in the program was extended until December 2015. Everyone affected has been noticed, the department said. The Information and Privacy Commissioner has been notified and an internal investigation is ongoing to determine the possibility of other cases.