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The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit this week against Walgreens, alleging the company knowingly filled illegal prescriptions without a medical purpose, including for opioids.
Walgreens is accused of filling millions of illegal prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and then attempting to obtain federal reimbursement for the prescriptions through various federal health care programs in violation of the False Claims Act, according to the nationwide lawsuit filed in the United States. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
“This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years it failed to meet its obligations to distribute dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, Chief of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, in a press release. .
| Teleprinter | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | WALGREENS ALLIANCE BOOTS INC. | 12.52 | -0.41 | -3.17% |
Boynton added: “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances with clear red flags that the prescriptions were most likely illegal, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to that they fill prescriptions, including prescriptions for controlled substances, in a timely manner. It took time to confirm their validity. These practices have allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to be smuggled out of Walgreens stores.
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A Walgreens store in Homestead, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The lawsuit alleges that the illegal filling of prescriptions began in August 2012 and has continued to the present.
“Dangerous and excessive amounts of opioids” and the “even more dangerous drug combination known as the ‘trinity,’ consisting of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant,” were among the millions illegal prescriptions, according to the complaint.
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He also alleged that the store ignored “substantial evidence” from multiple sources that illegal prescriptions were being filled, “including that from its own pharmacists and internal data.”
Walgreens in response said he needed clarification from the court.
A merchandise aisle at a Walgreens store in New York. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“We ask the court to clarify the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists and protect them from the government’s attempt to enforce arbitrary ‘rules’ that do not appear in any law or regulation and have never been the subject of of a formal regulatory process,” Walgreens said. Boots Alliance, said in a statement published on its website. “We are not going to stand by and allow the government to put our pharmacists in a no-win situation, trying to comply with ‘rules’ that simply don’t exist.”
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He continued: “Walgreens supports our pharmacists, dedicated healthcare professionals who live in the communities they serve, filling legitimate prescriptions for FDA-approved medications written by DEA-approved prescribers, in compliance with all requirements. applicable laws and regulations. Walgreens has long been a leader. by providing education and resources, as well as implementing best-in-class policies and procedures, to help combat opioid misuse and abuse.
Walgreens added that it “looks forward to the opportunity to defend the professionalism and integrity of our pharmacists.”
