Walgreens to pay $300 million to settle claims it illegally filled invalid opioids prescriptions
Walgreens Boots Alliance has come to an agreement to pay a substantial sum of $300 million to settle allegations of filling millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. The Justice Department, along with other federal agencies, filed a complaint claiming that pharmacists at Walgreens knowingly dispensed prescriptions for controlled substances despite clear signs of their illegitimacy. It is also alleged that Walgreens pressured its employees to quickly fill these prescriptions without following proper legal protocols.
The government asserts that these practices enabled millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to unlawfully leave Walgreens stores. Particularly concerning were prescriptions for “trinity,” a combination of opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants, as well as excessive quantities of opioids. The Justice Department initially filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy chain on January 16, accusing Walgreens of dispensing unlawful prescriptions and seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs, thereby violating the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act.
With over 8,000 pharmacies nationwide, Walgreens has strongly denied the government’s legal theory and maintains that it admits no liability in this matter. The company’s spokesperson emphasized the dedication of their pharmacists to patient safety and their efforts to combat opioid misuse and abuse. If found liable, Walgreens could have faced fines of up to $80,850 for each prescription filled in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
Following the settlement agreement, the U.S. government dismissed its complaint against Walgreens, and the drugstore chain agreed to drop a declaratory judgment action filed in a Texas district court. The opioid epidemic has claimed over 700,000 lives in the U.S. since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. President Trump has attributed the influx of illegal fentanyl and migrants as reasons for imposing tariffs on China and goods from Mexico and Canada.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for pharmacies like Walgreens to adhere to stringent regulations surrounding the dispensing of controlled substances and prioritize patient safety above all else. The settlement serves as a reminder of the grave consequences of improper prescription practices and underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the healthcare industry.
