Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 | 11:08 a.m.
SAN DIEGO -- A consumer advocacy group has sued Albertsons Inc., alleging the supermarket chain sells prescription information to drug companies without telling customers.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse accuses Albertsons and its pharmacy units -- Sav-on Drug Stores, Osco Drug and Jewel Osco -- of sharing customer names, addresses, phone numbers and prescribed medications.
The suit was filed without notice in May in San Diego Superior Court. It asks that Albertsons end the alleged practice and seeks unspecified monetary damages for unfair business practices and deceptive advertising.
Albertsons denied the allegations.
"We highly value and respect the privacy of our pharmacy customers and do not sell, nor have we ever sold, their private information," said Karen Ramos, a company spokeswoman. "We consider the allegations in this complaint to be false and totally without merit and we will vigorously defend ourselves."
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