HHS OCR report ยท 2022
Walgreen Co. data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Walgreen Co.
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Illinois
- Individuals affected
- 1,471
- Submission date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Walgreen, reported that a staff member impermissibly removed a paper file that contained the protected health information (PHI) of 1,471 individuals from the pharmacy premises. The PHI involved included names, addresses, dates of birth, diagnoses, and medications. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice. In response to the breach, the CE sanctioned the responsible employee and strengthened its administrative safeguards.
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 | 1,352 | Dec 27, 2021 | Loss | Archive (closed) |
| Walgreen Co. | IL | Healthcare Provider | 6,498 | May 28, 2021 | Improper Disposal | 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 1,471 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 21, 2022.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, 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..