Walgreens has settled for $300 million. This announcement follows months of allegations that the company turned a blind eye to red flags of improper prescriptions and broke federal law in the distribution of controlled substances. The declared settlement comes in response to a lawsuit filed in January. It alleges that the pharmacy chain filled prescriptions without the requisite legal standards and then fraudulently sought reimbursement for them from federal health care programs such as Medicare.
The lawsuit claimed that Walgreens was doing this on purpose by processing potentially unsafe prescriptions. In the process, they improperly billed taxpayer funded government programs, breaking both the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act. This legal action highlights the ongoing scrutiny of pharmacies in relation to the opioid crisis that has affected communities nationwide.
As laid out in the complaint, Walgreens ignored numerous red flags that these prescriptions were fraudulent. These actions led to serious concern regarding the company’s role in the opioid epidemic. The toll that this crisis has taken across the country has been devastating. The settlement amount, which will accrue 4% interest per year, will be distributed in annual installments over six years.
The controversy surrounding Walgreens has drawn attention to the responsibilities of pharmacies in monitoring prescriptions and ensuring compliance with regulations intended to prevent drug abuse. Under the settlement terms, Walgreens has affirmed its ongoing dedication to patient safety and prevention of opioid misuse through further education and awareness initiatives.
“Our pharmacists are dedicated healthcare professionals who care deeply about patient safety and continue to play a critical role in providing education and resources to help combat opioid misuse and abuse across our country.” – Fraser Engerman, Walgreens spokesperson
Walgreens officials are optimistic looking forward. They point to the lack of any significant cases involving prescription opioids since the finalization of that settlement. The company has indicated that it is profoundly addressing the concerns identified in the lawsuit. Beyond that, they’ve taken steps to avoid this from ever happening again.