A cyberattack has severely disrupted pharmacy operations across the U.S., leading to widespread prescription delays, as reported by Whio. This attack targeted Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, causing significant network disruptions from Wednesday to Thursday. In response to this cyber security threat, UnitedHealth took immediate action by disconnecting affected systems to prevent further damage. On Thursday, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing that the attack was likely conducted by hackers linked to a foreign nation, suggesting that a nation-state threat actor had infiltrated some of Change Healthcare’s IT systems. UnitedHealth acted quickly to isolate these systems, focusing on safeguarding the information of partners and patients.

The repercussions of this cyberattack extended beyond Change Healthcare, affecting thousands of pharmacies nationwide by hindering the processing of insurance claims, which in turn delayed patient prescriptions. Under regulations from the Security and Exchange Commission, UnitedHealth reported the incident as required.

Major pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS acknowledged the cyberattack’s impact on their prescription services. While Walgreens reported minimal issues, it did note that a “small percentage” of prescriptions were impacted. CVS confirmed that its systems were secure, but faced difficulties in processing some insurance claims. Both chains committed to reducing disruption and maintaining medication access.

The cyberattack’s peak saw numerous pharmacies unable to bill most insurance companies, although by late Thursday morning, insurance claims began to be processed again. This incident has exposed the vulnerabilities within the healthcare sector’s infrastructure.

Prescription discount provider GoodRX also experienced challenges in fulfilling orders due to the cyberattack, underscoring the extensive interconnectedness of healthcare systems and the far-reaching consequences of cyber threats on essential services.

In the wake of this cyberattack, the focus on cybersecurity within the healthcare industry intensifies, highlighting the critical need for enhanced protective measures to guard against the growing threat of cyberattacks.

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