DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens, accusing the pharmacy chain of unlawfully filling millions of prescriptions over the past decade, including for dangerous levels of opioids. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Walgreens pharmacists disregarded clear warning signs of illegitimate prescriptions and were pressured to dispense medications without proper verification.
According to the lawsuit, Walgreens violated the federal Controlled Substances Act by filling prescriptions deemed “unlawful” and sought reimbursement from federal health care programs in violation of the False Claims Act. The complaint further claims that Walgreens overlooked evidence, including internal data and alerts from its own pharmacists, indicating the dispensing of illicit prescriptions. Additionally, pharmacists were allegedly deprived of information crucial for identifying problematic prescribers.
In response, Walgreens defended its practices, stating that its pharmacists adhere to all laws and regulations by filling legitimate prescriptions from authorized prescribers for FDA-approved medications. The company emphasized its commitment to combating opioid misuse through education, resources, and stringent policies.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division condemned Walgreens for allegedly enabling the illegal distribution of opioids and controlled substances. The DOJ’s lawsuit is part of a broader effort to hold companies accountable for their alleged contributions to the U.S. addiction crisis, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths annually.
Walgreens expressed its intention to challenge the government’s allegations and requested the court’s clarification on regulatory responsibilities for pharmacies and pharmacists. The pharmacy chain criticized what it deemed as arbitrary rules imposed by the government and emphasized its willingness to defend its pharmacists against unsupported claims.
In a similar legal move, the DOJ previously filed a lawsuit against CVS in December, prompting a strong denial from the chain and a rejection of the allegations as a “false narrative.” Efforts to address the opioid crisis have led to substantial settlements, with drugmakers, wholesalers, and pharmacies collectively agreeing to pay approximately $50 billion to combat the epidemic.
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