PHOENIX — Arizonans may have a harder time getting their prescription drugs this week.
Pharmacies and hospitals across the U.S. are trying to recover from a cyberattack that hit a major prescription drug company. Healthcare experts are still assessing the damage.
Prescriptions may be impacted
According to the SEC, the attack hit a company that operates under the mammoth insurance provider United Health Group. The American Hospital Association said the most immediate consequence is a delay in some prescriptions at hospitals and pharmacies. Walgreens is one pharmacy reporting delays in reimbursements to prescription drugs.
The AHA warns that surgeries and procedures at hospitals could also be delayed.
“As this extends, those impacts could be more pronounced,” said John Riggi of the AHA on Friday.
Similar attacks originate from Russia and China
Mizan Rahman, a computer security professor at Chandler Gilbert Community College, said this latest cyber hack is part of an ongoing invisible war against U.S. companies.
“The United States is everybody’s target,” Rahman said. “We need a lot more people, especially with all the technology coming and all the devices growing.”
According to the SEC, the attack was likely by a foreign country that paid rogue hackers.
Rahman said the most common culprits are China and Russia. They’ve launched similar attacks to obtain intellectual property or to cause havoc to U.S. society.
Are Valley hospitals affected?
According to the American Hospital Association, there could be cascading effects on more hospitals and medical providers.
12News reached out to several hospital groups in the Valley. Here is how they have responded.
- Abrazo Health: No impact
- Phoenix V.A.: “We are aware that many non-VA pharmacies are impacted. Our VA pharmacies are available to assist. If Veterans experience a problem filling a prescription by a VA-authorized community provider, they should contact their local VA pharmacy (602-914-2900 x7774) or call 1-800-698-2411.”
- Dignity Health: No response yet
- Banner Health: No response yet
Meanwhile, Rahman said U.S. companies need more IT pros with cyber skills to keep such attacks at bay.
“Do (they) have enough? No,” he said.
UP TO SPEED