Final answer:
One helpful internet source is the HIPAA website, which outlines the legal and ethical importance of safeguarding personal health information. Pharmacies sharing private health information without consent face legal consequences and ethical violations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the scenario presented, one internet source I have found particularly helpful is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) website, which provides comprehensive information regarding privacy and security of personal health information. According to HIPAA regulations, it would be illegal and unethical for a pharmacy or pharmacist to share Sadie's private health information with Dave without Sadie's explicit permission. If the pharmacy were to disclose this information improperly, they could face serious legal consequences, including fines and sanctions, and additionally, could suffer damage to their professional reputation.
Within the field of pharmacy, patient confidentiality is paramount, and the ethical standards set forth by professional organizations and university guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining this confidentiality. These standards uphold that patient information must be protected, and only shared with the individual's consent or as required by law. The pharmacy sharing Sadie's health information without authorization would not only be a breach of trust but could also lead to legal repercussions such as lawsuits for violating patient privacy rights.