Walgreens, a prominent pharmacy chain with over 8,000 locations, is facing legal action from the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly filling millions of prescriptions without a legitimate purpose over the past decade. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claims that Walgreens pharmacists dispensed controlled substances, including dangerous amounts of opioids, despite clear red flags indicating potential unlawfulness.
The complaint alleges that Walgreens pressured pharmacists to fill prescriptions without verifying their validity, leading to violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act. The company is accused of seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs for these 'unlawful' prescriptions.
Despite the allegations, Walgreens has defended its practices, stating that its pharmacists fill legitimate prescriptions for FDA-approved medications from DEA-licensed prescribers in compliance with all laws and regulations. The company also refutes claims that it ignored evidence of unlawful prescriptions being dispensed in its stores.
The lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for its alleged role in allowing illegal opioid distribution and other controlled substances. The Justice Department aims to clarify pharmacy responsibilities and prevent the enforcement of arbitrary rules that are not supported by law or regulation.
Walgreens has emphasized its commitment to combatting opioid misuse through education, resources, and policy implementation. The company asserts that it will challenge the government's attempts to impose non-existent rules on its pharmacists.
This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed against CVS in December, as federal prosecutors continue to target companies implicated in the U.S. addiction and overdose crisis. Opioids have been linked to over 80,000 annual deaths in recent years, with illicit fentanyl being a major contributor to the crisis.
Over the past decade, drug manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies have reached settlements totaling approximately $50 billion with governments to address the opioid epidemic. The majority of these funds have been allocated towards initiatives aimed at combating opioid misuse and addiction.
