HHS OCR report · 2021
Walgreen Co. data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Walgreen Co.
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Illinois
- Individuals affected
- 6,498
- Submission date
- May 28, 2021
- Type of breach
- Improper Disposal
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Walgreens, reported that its business associate (BA) mishandled the protected health information (PHI) of 6,498 individuals when it disposed of the PHI in the trash instead of secure storage. The PHI involved included names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, medication information, diagnoses, drivers’ license numbers, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice. In its mitigation efforts...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Walgreen Co.
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 2,708 | Sep 30, 2025 | Loss | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,915 | Oct 1, 2024 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,704 | Aug 31, 2022 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,471 | Jan 21, 2022 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,352 | Dec 27, 2021 | Loss | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 80,176 | Jul 24, 2020 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 703 | Apr 27, 2018 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 910 | Apr 6, 2018 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 4,500 | Feb 3, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 880 | Mar 4, 2016 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 8,345 | Aug 7, 2015 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,138 | May 1, 2015 | Loss | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 160,000 | Dec 15, 2014 | Other | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 540 | Jun 6, 2014 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 17,350 | Dec 6, 2013 | Other | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 1,240 | Jul 30, 2012 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Walgreen Co. data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 6,498 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on May 28, 2021.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Improper Disposal, with the breached information located in: Paper/Films.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Walgreen Co. legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Walgreen Co..