Under what circumstance can a pharmacist share patient records with an attorney?

Sharing patient records with an attorney is permissible under certain conditions, and one significant condition is the existence of a court subpoena. When a court issues a subpoena, it is a legal document that compels the recipient to provide records or testify, thereby granting authority for the release of specific information. In this context, the subpoena serves to protect the release of patient information from being arbitrarily denied; it indicates that the request for records is based on legal grounds that have been reviewed by the court.

This legal framework acknowledges that certain situations may require access to health information in the pursuit of justice or legal processes, and the presence of a subpoena ensures that appropriate legal procedures have been followed. It also emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in healthcare, while allowing for exceptions when legally mandated.

In contrast, the other options either do not align with legal guidelines or are overly restrictive concerning patient confidentiality. Patient agreement, while generally necessary for the sharing of records, can only provide permission in instances not specifically addressed by legal authority. Non-criminal cases do not inherently exempt the need for a subpoena either. Finally, the claim that it's never permissible overlooks the legal exceptions whereby a court subpoena is the appropriate means for accessing patient records.