US court files civil complaint alleging Walgreens dispensed millions of illegal prescriptions

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois filed a civil complaint on January 16, 2025, which led the Justice Department to allege that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co and various subsidiaries dispensed millions of illegal prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. Walgreens then allegedly sought reimbursement for many of the prescriptions, in violation of the False Claims Act, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Walgreens, Opioids, Controlled Substances Act, False Claims Act | Image credit: Timon | stock.adobe.com

“This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many years they have failed to meet their obligations when they dispensed dangerous opioids and other drugs,” said Brian M. Boynton, JD, deputy managing attorney and head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. in the news release. “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags indicating that the prescriptions were highly likely to be illegal, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substance prescriptions, without taking the time necessary to verify their validity. This practice allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores.”

The department claims that from approx. Between August 2012 and today, “Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not dispensed in the ordinary course of professional practice.” This allegedly included filling prescriptions for dangerous and excessive amounts, early refills and a dangerous and abused combination of drugs known as the “trinity” – an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant. The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled the prescriptions despite clear “red flags” indicating that filling the prescription would most likely be illegal, and that Walgreens allegedly pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without taking time to confirm the validity. The department also alleges that Walgreens deprived pharmacies of crucial information, according to the news release.

“As alleged in the complaint, Walgreens consistently flouted its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act by illegally dispensing powerful controlled substances and illegally seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs,” Morris Pasqual, JD, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District. of Illinois, said in the press release. “These laws are critical to protecting our communities from the dangers of the opioid epidemic. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that opioids are dispensed properly and that taxpayer funds are spent only on legitimate pharmacy claims.”

Furthermore, the department alleges that Walgreens’ actions fueled the opioid crisis and, in some cases, led to patient deaths due to opioid overdoses shortly after the alleged filling of illegal prescriptions. If Walgreens is found liable, Walgreens could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each prescription filled in violation, as well as treble damages and penalties for each prescription paid for by the federal programs. In addition, the court could grant injunctions to prevent Walgreens from committing other violations of the 2 acts.

“Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only legal prescriptions for controlled substances are dispensed – Walgreens failed to do just that,” said Erek Barron, JD, US Attorney for the District of Maryland, in the press release. “We are committed to holding Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the country, including in Maryland.”

REFERENCE

The Justice Department is filing a nationwide lawsuit alleging that Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose. News release. the US Department of Justice. 17 January 2025. Accessed 20 January 2025.