Notice of Privacy Practices
Overview
Your access to the Algo mobile applications and website ("www.algoapp.ca") is subject to the Algo Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy.
Algo has created this Privacy Policy to explain what information we gather from you when you use our apps and website, how we may use this information, the security approaches we use to protect your information, and how you can access and correct certain information that we may collect. This Privacy Policy is incorporated and made part of Algo Terms of Use.
Algo is committed to protecting your privacy and protected health information ("PHI"). PHI is information about you, including basic demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services. This Notice of Privacy Practices ("Notice") describes how we may use and disclose PHI about you to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations and for other specified purposes that are permitted or required by law. The Notice also describes your rights under federal and state law relating to your PHI.
Algo is required by law to abide to the terms of this Notice, which explains our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI that we collect and maintain. We are required by law to provide you with a copy of this Notice and to notify you following a breach of your unsecured health information. Algo will not use or disclose PHI about you without your written authorization, except as described in this Notice. We reserve the right to change the privacy practices outlined in this Notice, and make the new notice effective for PHI we maintain and for any PHI we receive in the future. Should we make such a change, we will display the revised notice to you online, and make it available to you upon request.
YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND CHANGES TO IT
By using Algo, you consent to the collection and use of your information by Algo in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, you may not use Algo. Algo reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time, without prior notice. Changes take effect on the date that appears on the revised Policy. If you use this app following a change in the Policy, your use will be understood to signal that you accept the changes. We urge you to review this Privacy Policy frequently for changes.
What information do we collect?
We collect information from you when you register with Algo, place an order, respond to communication such as e-mail, or make use of another Algo feature.
When ordering, registering or subscribing to any newsletters, we may ask you for your name, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, credit card information or other information. You may, however, use portions of Algo without providing such information.
We use IP addresses and session identifiers to analyze trends, to administer Algo, to track user activities, to infer user interests, and to otherwise induce, deduce, and gather information about individual users and market segments.
When signing up for pharmacy services or ordering prescription drugs, we may ask you to provide us with certain personal and/or health-related information. This information is subject to our Notice of Privacy Practices that more specifically describes how we may use or disclose your protected health information.
How do we use your information?
We may use the information we collect from you when you register, purchase products, respond to a survey or marketing communication, or use other Algo features in the following ways:
To personalize your experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content and product offerings in which you are most interested.
To allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.
To quickly process your transactions.
To verify and validate your identity.
To troubleshoot problems with Algo, as requested.
To enforce the Algo Pharmacy Terms of Use, and to detect and protect against error, fraud and other unauthorized or illegal activities.
To attempt to contact you regarding product safety or recall issues.
To provide any legitimate business service or product.
You understand that if you are using Algo from a country outside Canada, you will be transferring personal information about yourself to Canada. You understand that the privacy laws of Canada may not be as comprehensive as those in your country, and you agree that the transfer of your personal information occurs with your consent. Personal information collected by Algo may be stored and processed in Canada or abroad.
Do we disclose the information we collect to outside parties?
We can disclose your personal and other information to third parties, as follows:
To vendors whose products or services you have requested, in order to deliver those products or services to you.
To our subsidiaries or affiliates, strategic partners and to third parties we engage to provide services on our behalf, such as web sites hosting, credit card payment processing, order processing, delivery, etc. We prohibit these parties from using your personal information for any other purpose.
To vendors that offer products, services or other information we think might interest you. These third parties may keep and use your personal information whether or not you purchase their products or services. Your personal information will be subject to their privacy policies, so you should contact them directly for information on their policies or to opt-out of promotional communications from them.
In the event of the sale or transfer of Algo, of one or more of our business units or of some or all of our assets, or in the context of some other business acquisition transaction. In response to a subpoena or court order, or a request from a law enforcement or other government agency; to establish or exercise our legal rights, or to defend against claims; or to protect the safety or security of the public or of users of Algo. For example,
We may forward your prescription information to your insurance plan, so that we may handle reimbursement of your prescription purchase for your convenience.
We can disclose aggregate information about users of Algo to our service providers, partners, advertisers or others, but such information will not include personal information.
Correcting and updating your personal information
You can correct or update your personally identifiable information by re-registering for the services or by contacting us by email help@algoapp.ca or by telephone (833) 682-2546. It may take us up to 30 days to process your request.
Safeguarding your personal information
Algo follows generally accepted industry security standards to safeguard and help prevent unauthorized access, maintain data security and correctly use such personal information. However, no commercial method of information transfer over the Internet or electronic data storage is known to be 100% secure. As a result, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of that information during its transmission or its storage in our systems. Other than these security measures, you transmit data, including personal information, to us at your own risk.
Mobile application policy only
This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our mobile applications and not to information collected offline.
Children's privacy
Algo are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from children under the age of thirteen.
Retention of your personal information
We will store the personal information you provide for as long as we believe is necessary or appropriate (i) to carry out the purpose(s) for which we collected it, or (ii) to comply with applicable laws, contracts, or other rules or regulations.
Your Health Information Rights
You have the following rights with respect to PHI about you as a patient. These rights include:
- Obtain a paper copy of the Notice upon request. You may request a copy of the Notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive the Notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy. To obtain a paper copy, contact privacy@algoapp.ca or call 1 (833) 682-2546.
- Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of PHI. You have the right to request additional restrictions on our use or disclosure of PHI about you by sending a written request to privacy@algoapp.ca. We are not required to agree to those restrictions, unless that restriction is regarding disclosure of health information to your health insurance company and: (1) the disclosure is for the purpose of carrying out payment or health care operations and is not otherwise required by law; and (2) the health information pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you or another person (other than your health insurance company) paid for in full. If we agree to your requested restriction, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you emergency treatment.
- Inspect and obtain a copy of PHI. You have the right to access and copy PHI about you contained in a designated record set for as long as Algo maintains the PHI. The designated record set usually will include prescription and billing records. To inspect or copy PHI about you, you must send a written request to privacy@algoapp.ca or speak to Algo's Privacy Officer by calling 1 (833) 682-2546. We may charge you a fee as authorized by law to fulfill your request. Upon receiving your request to access your PHI, we are required to respond to you no later than 30 days after the receipt of your request. We may deny your request to inspect and copy in certain limited circumstances. If you are denied access to PHI about you, you may request that the denial be reviewed. You may request access to your health information in a certain electronic form and format, if readily producible, or, if not readily producible, in a mutually agreeable electronic form and format. Further, you may request in writing that we transmit such a copy to any person or entity you designate. Your written, signed request must clearly identify such designated person or entity and where you would like us to send the copy.
- Request an amendment of PHI. If you feel that PHI we maintain about you is incomplete or incorrect, you may request that we amend it. You may request an amendment for as long as we maintain the PHI (or someone maintains the PHI for us). To request an amendment, you must send a request to privacy@algoapp.ca or call 1 (833) 682-2546 and speak to the Privacy Officer. You must include a reason that supports your request. We will respond to your request within 60 days with up to 30-day extension, if needed. In certain cases, we may deny your request for amendment. If we deny your request for amendment, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement with the decision and we give a rebuttal to your statement.
- Receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI. You have the right to receive an accounting of the disclosures we have made of PHI about you after September 5, 2018 for most purposes other than treatment, payment, or health care operations. The accounting will exclude certain disclosures, such as disclosures made directly to you, disclosures you authorize, disclosures to friends or family members involved in your care, and disclosures for notification purposes. The right to receive an accounting is subject to certain other exemptions, restrictions, and limitations. To request an accounting, you must submit a request send a request to privacy@algoapp.ca or call 1 (833) 682-2546 and speak to the Privacy Officer. Your request must specify the time period, but may not be longer than six years. We are required to provide you the accounting within 60 days and with one 30-day extension, if needed. The first accounting you request within a 12 month period will be provided free of charge, but you may be charged a reasonable fee for the cost of providing additional accountings. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time before any costs have been incurred.
- Request communications of PHI by alternative means or at alternative locations. You have the right to request that we communicate your health information to you in a certain manner or at a certain location. For instance, you may request that we contact you about medical matters only in writing, or at a different residence or post office box. To request confidential communication of PHI about you, you must send a request to privacy@Algoapp.ca or call 1 (833) 682-2546 and speak to the Privacy Officer. Your request must state how or where you would like to be contacted. We will attempt to accommodate all reasonable requests, and will not request an explanation from you to the basis for your request.
Examples of how we may use and disclose PHI
The following categories below describe how Algo may use and disclose your PHI. We have provided you with examples, but not every permissible use or disclosure may be listed.
- We will use PHI for treatment. For example, information obtained by the pharmacist will be used to dispense prescription medications and counsel you about the appropriate usage of your medications. We will document in your record information related to the medications dispensed to you and services provided to you.
- We will use PHI for payment. For example, we will contact your health care payor, insurer or pharmacy benefit manager to determine whether it will pay for your prescription and the amount of your co-payments. We will bill you or a third-party payer for the cost of prescription medications dispensed to you. The information on or accompanying the bill may include information that identifies you, as well as the prescriptions you are taking. We may also disclose your PHI to other PIPEDA covered entities or business associates who may need it for their processing of your healthcare payment activities.
- We will use PHI for health care operations. For example, Algo may use information in your health record to monitor the performance of the pharmacists providing treatment to you. This information will be used in an effort to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of the health care and service we provide. We may also use your PHI to create de-identified data, which removes identifiable data elements in a way that no longer identifies you.
We are likely to use or disclose PHI for the following purposes:
- Business associates: Â There are some services provided by us through contracts with PIPEDA business associates. When these services are contracted for, we may disclose PHI about you to our business associates so that they can perform the job we have asked them to do and bill you or your third-party payor for services rendered. To protect PHI about you, we require the business associate to appropriately safeguard the PHI.
- Communication with individuals involved in your care or payment for your care: If you do not object to the disclosure, health professionals such as pharmacists, using their professional judgment, may disclose to a family member, other relative, close personal friend or any person you identify, PHI relevant to that person's involvement in your care or payment related to your care. We may also make these disclosures after your death unless doing so is inconsistent with any prior expressed preference. We may disclose PHI to your designated personal representative to make healthcare decisions for you, as we would treat him or her the same way we would treat you with respect to your PHI.
- Health-related communications: We may contact you to provide refill reminders or information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you as permitted by law.
- Health Canada: We may disclose to the Health Canada, or persons under the jurisdiction of the Health Canada, PHI relative to adverse events with respect to drugs, foods, supplements, products and product defects, or post marketing surveillance information to enable product recalls, repairs, or replacement.
- Worker's compensation: We may disclose PHI about you as authorized by and as necessary to comply with laws relating to worker's compensation or other similar programs established by law.
- Public health: As required by law, we may disclose PHI about you to public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.
- Law enforcement: We may disclose PHI about you for law enforcement purposes as required by law or in response to a valid subpoena or other legal process.
- As required by law:We must disclose PHI about you when required to do so by law.
- Health oversight activities: We may disclose PHI about you to an oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include pharmacy and other audits, investigations, credentialing and inspections, as necessary for our licensure and for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.
- Judicial and administrative proceedings: If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose PHI about you in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose PHI about you in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the requested PHI as required by law.
Please be aware that state and other federal laws may have additional requirements that we must follow or may be more restrictive than PIPEDA on how we use and disclose your health information. If there are specific more restrictive requirements, even for some of the purposes listed above, we may not disclose your health information without your written permission as required by such laws. For example, we will not disclose your HIV test results without obtaining your written permission, except as permitted by provincial law. We may also be required by law to obtain your written permission to use and disclose your information related to treatment for a mental illness, developmental disability, or alcohol or drug abuse.
We are also permitted to use or disclose PHI about you for the following purposes:
- Research: Under certain circumstances, we may disclose PHI about you to researchers when their research has been approved by an institutional review board that has reviewed the research proposal and established protocols to ensure the privacy of your information.
- Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors: We may release PHI about you to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also disclose PHI to funeral directors consistent with applicable law to carry out their duties.
- Organ or tissue procurement organizations: Consistent with applicable law, we may disclose PHI about you to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaged in the procurement, banking, or transplantation of organs for the purpose of tissue donation and transplant.
- Notification: We may use or disclose PHI about you to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care, your location, and general condition. We may also use or disclose your health information to disaster-relief organizations so that your family or other persons responsible for your care can be notified about your condition, status, and location.
- Correctional institution: If you are or become an inmate of a correctional institution, we may disclose PHI to the institution or its agents when necessary for your health or the health and safety of others.
- To avert a serious threat to health or safety: When necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person, we may use and disclose your health information in a very limited manner to someone able to help lessen the threat.
- Military and veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release PHI about you as required by military command authorities. We may also release PHI about foreign military personnel to the appropriate military authority.
- National security and intelligence activities: We may release PHI about you to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
- Protective services for the President and others: We may disclose PHI about you to authorized federal officials so they may provide protection to the President, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state or conduct special investigations.
- Victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence: We may disclose PHI about you to a government authority, such as a social service or protective services agency, if we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. We will only disclose this type of information to the extent required by law, if you agree to the disclosure, or if the disclosure is allowed by law and we believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm to you or someone else or the law enforcement or public official that is to receive the report represents that it is necessary and will not be used against you.
Other Uses and Disclosures of PHI
Algo will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing PHI about you for purposes other than those provided above or as otherwise permitted or required by law. If you change your mind after authorizing a use or disclosure of your health information, you may withdraw your permission by revoking this authorization in writing at any time by sending a written request to Algo Medical Group, 1332 Khalsa Drive, Unit 1, Mississauga, Ontario L5S 0A2, Attn: Privacy Officer. Upon receipt of the written revocation we will stop using or disclosing PHI about you. However, your decision to revoke the authorization will not affect or undo any use or disclosure of your health information that occurred before you notified us of your decision, or any actions that we have taken based upon your authorization.
For more information or to Report a Problem
If you have questions or would like additional information about the Pharmacy's privacy practices, you may send a request to privacy@algoapp.ca or call 1 (833) 682-2546 and speak to the Privacy Officer.
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting privacy@algoapp.ca , or by calling 1 (833) 682-2546, so that we can try to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. You also have the right to report a complaint to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Rest assured, there will be no retaliation or penalization for filing a complaint regarding our privacy practices.
Privacy Officer Contact Information
Chief Privacy Officer
Algo Medical Group
421 Victoria Avenue East
Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1A6
Email Address: privacy@algoapp.ca
Telephone number:+1 (833) 682-ALGO