TORONTO — Retail chain Rexall has apologized after sending out marketing material to customers who received flu shots at its pharmacies in Ontario.
The company acknowledged Thursday the mailing was done without the consent of recipients but insisted the personal health information of customers was not shared.
In a statement, Rexall CEO Frank V. Scorpiniti called the mailing “unacceptable” and apologized to customers.
“I am sorry that this occurred and am taking measures to ensure it does not happen again,” he said.
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The company reacted to a complaint this month from one customer, according to spokesperson Michelle Lee.
“We sent a mailing to our customers thanking them for getting their flu shot and included information about products and services along with a coupon for future use,” Lee told Global News.
Scorpiniti said upon learning of the situation, the mailing was stopped and the company launched an internal investigation.
“Rexall is in contact with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Ontario) about this issue and will work co-operatively with her office to address the situation,” he explained. “We take our duty to protect personal information very seriously.”
Rexall said its pharmacists administered nearly 200,000 shots at more than 250 of its stores in Ontario this flu season.
According to a privacy statement on its website, the company “is accountable for the personal information that you give to us” and “will obtain your consent before or when we collect, use, or disclose personal information about you.”
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