Ron Calderon, a Democrat from Montebello is helping the Pharmaceutical industry gain access to your records to improve their marketing efforts and increase their net profits. Hey, every progressive wants industry to make more money and perform stronger in the marketplace, but not at the expense of the privacy of our medical records.

Backers of legislation proposed by Calderon argue their bill allows pharmacies to partner with drug companies to send out letters reminding patients to refill their prescriptions. But you and I both know that means, that the bill would allow pharmacies (think CVS or RiteAID) to sell your medical records to pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer or AstraZeneca) so they may market prescription drugs you may or may not need.

I suppose the Viagra commercials aren't as effective anymore.

Drug company Adheris, who sponsors this legislation is currently fighting a class-action suit filed in 2004 after it was caught sending direct mail to Californians who needed to refill their prescription drugs, running afoul of privacy law.

This bill passed through the State Senate last week and must be defeated in the Assembly. The new marketing efforts of aggressive drug companies must be met with new laws that reflect technological capabilities that privacy laws currently do not account for. The California Health Care Foundation has released an intensive policy brief calling on state leaders to get ahead of the curve.

Calderon should be protecting our right to access affordable health care during the state's budget mess, not immunizing drug companies from privacy law and expanding their profits.