Yesterday, I went to pick up my prescription from the Walmart Pharmacy expecting a routine visit—but instead, I left feeling violated, disrespected, and frustrated. What should have been a simple task turned into a public interrogation about my private medical condition. And I believe what happened may be more than just inconsiderate—it may be a violation of my rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Here’s what happened.
When I gave the attendant my name, he retrieved my medication. Then, in front of other customers standing nearby, he asked me, “What is this for? What is the diagnosis for this medication?”
I was stunned. This was not a private setting, not a quiet consultation, and the person asking wasn’t even the pharmacist. He expected me to disclose personal medical information aloud in front of strangers, or else I wouldn’t be given my prescription.
I responded, “Are you the pharmacist? Why are you asking me this?” At that point, the pharmacist—who had overheard—chimed in to say that the doctor didn’t include the diagnosis, and that they were “trained” to ask patients for it.
Let me be very clear: Asking a patient to disclose private medical information in a public setting is unacceptable—whether the person asking is trained or not.
Why This May Violate HIPAA
HIPAA was created to protect patient privacy. It ensures that personal health information (PHI) is not shared, discussed, or requested in ways that can be overheard or seen by others. Under HIPAA:
- Your name, medication, and medical condition together constitute PHI.
- Pharmacies must take reasonable steps to protect patient privacy, including not asking personal health questions where others can hear.
- Patients cannot be forced to disclose diagnoses publicly in order to receive a prescription that was lawfully issued by their physician.
The fact that I felt pressured to answer a private question just to get my medication is not only wrong—it’s coercive, insensitive, and potentially illegal.
This Is Bigger Than Me
What bothers me most is this: If it happened to me, how many other people has this happened to? How many others have been asked to share private health information in front of strangers, perhaps feeling ashamed, confused, or powerless?
The issue isn’t just about one attendant or one pharmacist. It’s about the systems in place at large companies like Walmart that fail to train their staff adequately on privacy protocols, and fail to make their complaint process accessible—especially when language barriers exist.
When I tried to file a complaint afterward, I was transferred to Spanish-speaking representatives I couldn’t understand. No one seemed willing—or able—to hear me out. And for the record, the attendant and pharmacist involved in my experience were also Spanish-speaking, which may have contributed to the miscommunication. But language barriers should never result in privacy violations or patient mistreatment.
My Message to Walmart and Pharmacies Everywhere
This experience should be a wake-up call. Patient privacy is not optional. Respect is not optional. When people come to pick up medication, they may already be in a vulnerable state—physically, emotionally, or financially. They deserve professionalism, compassion, and discretion.
I’m sharing my story publicly because I believe in standing up not just for myself, but for everyone who has ever felt shamed, silenced, or humiliated in a healthcare setting.
If you’re a pharmacy technician, pharmacist, or corporate decision-maker, I urge you: retrain your staff, enforce privacy procedures, and create real avenues for patients to report these issues.
If you’re a patient who has experienced something similar, know that you’re not alone—and you have the right to file a complaint.
What I’m Doing Next
I’ll be filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which enforces HIPAA protections. And I’m continuing to contact Walmart until I speak to someone who will listen.
Your health is your business. And no one—not even a pharmacy—has the right to make it public without your permission.
References:
HIPAA and Patient Privacy Rights
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) — HIPAA Overview
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/index.html
This is the official government page explaining your rights under HIPAA, including what Protected Health Information (PHI) is and when it can be shared.
What Is PHI? — HIPAA Journal
https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-considered-protected-health-information-under-hipaa/
Explains what information is protected (name + medical details, etc.) and how it’s supposed to be handled.
OCR HIPAA Privacy Rule Summary
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html
Detailed summary of the rules that health providers (including pharmacies) must follow.
Pharmacy Protocol and Patient Confidentiality
- National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA): Privacy Standards
https://ncpa.org/privacy-practices
Offers guidelines on how pharmacies should protect patient privacy and handle sensitive interactions. - American Pharmacists Association — Code of Ethics
https://www.pharmacist.com/About-Us/Code-of-Ethics
Ethics code that pharmacists are expected to follow, including patient confidentiality and respect.
— Christina Grant for Insyncnews.com