Final answer:
Pharmacy professionals must keep records of health information disclosures without a patient's consent, in adherence to HIPAA regulations, which are aimed at protecting patient privacy rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is generally true that pharmacy professionals must keep a record of the disclosure of health information without a patient's consent. This requirement is part of a broader set of regulations known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996. HIPAA mandates that entities handling patient information, such as healthcare providers and pharmacies, adhere to strict standards for maintaining patient confidentiality. There are specific circumstances under which health information can be disclosed without patient consent, such as for public health purposes, but even in these cases, a record of the disclosure is often required.
An important consideration is the balance between patient privacy rights and the need to safeguard the health of others, as in the case of notifying potential sexual partners about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Under HIPAA, patient consent is generally required for disclosures unless an exception applies. HIPAA's Privacy Rule permits some disclosures without consent for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, but the scope of these exceptions and the need for records of disclosures should be carefully evaluated by pharmacy professionals.