The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit accusing Walgreens of filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions over the past decade, including dangerous quantities of opioids. The allegations claim the pharmacy chain violated federal laws and contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis.
DOJ Highlights Alleged Violations
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the lawsuit alleges Walgreens violated the federal Controlled Substances Act by filling prescriptions with clear red flags indicating they were likely unlawful. Additionally, the company is accused of seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs for these prescriptions, violating the False Claims Act.
According to the DOJ, Walgreens pharmacists were pressured to prioritize efficiency over due diligence, filling prescriptions without verifying their validity. The lawsuit also claims Walgreens ignored internal data and warnings from its own pharmacists about suspicious prescribing patterns.
Government Seeks Accountability
“This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years that it failed to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ’s Civil Division.
The DOJ alleges Walgreens’ practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally into communities, exacerbating the U.S. addiction crisis.
Walgreens Responds to Allegations
In a statement, Walgreens defended its pharmacists, claiming they fill legitimate prescriptions for FDA-approved medications written by DEA-licensed prescribers.
“We will not stand by and allow the government to put our pharmacists in a no-win situation, trying to comply with ‘rules’ that simply do not exist,” Walgreens stated, adding that the company has implemented policies to combat opioid misuse and provide education to communities.
Opioid Crisis and Industry Accountability
The lawsuit against Walgreens is part of a broader federal effort to hold companies accountable for their roles in the opioid epidemic, which has caused over 80,000 overdose deaths annually in recent years.
While illicit fentanyl is now the leading cause of opioid-related deaths, prescription pills were the primary driver earlier in the crisis. Over the past eight years, drug manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies have collectively paid approximately $50 billion in settlements, with most of the funds allocated to combat addiction and overdoses.