Letter to Editor: Local Pharmacy Speaks Against Private Info Sharing

Dear Edmonson Voice Editor,

Information was released on Friday, February 3, 2023, that GoodRx Holdings, developer of the well-known GoodRx prescription drug discount app, has been accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of wrongfully sharing data on millions of users’ prescription medications and illnesses to multiple companies, including Google and Facebook. According to the FTC, this “sharing” went on for years and was done primarily so GoodRx could market to and make even more money from users of their app. GoodRx has reportedly agreed to settle these allegations by paying a substantial amount of money.

For many, many years we have all received “discount” cards in the mail and seen stacked up at medical offices and other places. Consumer Reports has stated multiple times that “discount” cards are a major source of identity theft in this country, which is very accurate. All those companies printing those multitudes of “free” cards and newer companies like GoodRx with extremely expensive commercials are all in the business of making money…loads of money. Many of them make profits in various ways and one very serious way is by selling or using people’s data and personal information. In my opinion, this is very unethical and immoral because most people have no idea this is being done and are just seeking help with their prescription costs. As the old sayings go, “If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is” and “Nothing in life is free” (even though I would add except God’s Grace, though it too was paid by One).

At Alford’s Pharmacy, this is precisely the reason we do not participate in this stealing of our friends, family, and neighbors’ data and information. Rest assured, if you call our pharmacy your home then you have nothing to worry about with this regard, and I am very proud to say that. Unfortunately, over the years there have been some to not believe or trust us when we told them of the great risk they had by using “discount” cards and apps at other pharmacies. We will never put Profits before our Character.

We have many tools at our disposal to save people money on their much-needed prescriptions and invite anyone to reach out to us to discuss those available to them in their particular circumstance. At Alford’s Pharmacy, our Mission is Serving Others With Humility and we take that extremely serious. We will always strive to do that while Honoring God, Honoring People, and Honoring Our Communities.

Eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve and love our neighbor as ourselves,

Kasey Alford, Pharm.D., CEO
Alford’s Pharmacy

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