3.7K at risk after Temple University breach

A break-in of an unencrypted desktop computer resulted in the breach of 3,780 patients’ personal data at Philadelphia-based Temple University.

Information at risk included patients’ full name, age, procedure type with description and billing code associated with the procedure—as well as the name of the referring physician and medical record number. The laptop did not contain Social Security numbers or financial data.

The school has implemented a number of mitigating measures, including re-education of personnel, the development of mechanisms to increase physical surveillance and additional security layers for desktop computers.

“We deeply regret the incident and inconvenience this may have caused for our patients,” according to a notice.

 

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.