Walgreens has reached a negotiation with the U. S. Justice Department, agreeing to pay as much as$ 350 million to resolve allegations that it unlawfully dispensed millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. The business was even accused of billing Medicare and other national medical plans for many of those treatments, according to Fox Business.
According to the Justice Department, Walgreens did give$ 300 million based on its latest economic capacity. An further$ 50 million may be required if the company undergoes a sale, consolidation, or move before the close of fiscal year 2032.
“Pharmacies have a legal obligation to recommend controlled substances in a secure and professional manner, no supply dangerous medications only for gain, ” Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated. “This Department of Justice is committed to ending the opioid problems and holding negative players responsible for their failure to protect people from addiction. ”
The government’s problem alleges that between August 2012 and March 2023, Walgreens violated the Controlled Substances Act by constantly filling illegal treatments. These included treatments that were written for exceptionally high levels of drugs or were filled considerably earlier than ideal.
Fairness officials contend that Walgreens professionals processed these treatments despite red colors indicating they were good never legitimate, such as lacking legitimate medical reasons or failing to meet the standards of professional medical training.
Further accusations claim that the firm placed strain on its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly, discouraging detailed verification of each prescription’s legitimacy. Additionally, compliance personnel at Walgreens allegedly overlooked clear signs that illegal prescriptions were being dispensed. The complaint also asserts that the company withheld critical internal data from its pharmacists and restricted their ability to alert colleagues about problematic prescribers.
Federal authorities described the lawsuit and settlement as part of broader efforts to combat the nationwide opioid crisis, which continues to claim tens of thousands of lives annually.
