I can’t read the article due to paywall but from the headline, yes it violates HIPAA. Not sure if there is some trickery going on such as pretending to ask as another healthcare provider rather than as a cop. Pharmacies would then give the info thinking the other provider needed it for the care of the patient.

Hippa applies to your health care provider, not your pharmacist. Your doctor can’t release your medical records to a cop, but your pharmacist could absolutely could tell them what prescriptions you have, especially with an outside pharmacist. That’s a third party not covered by hippa