Posted on 01/17/2025 4:42:42 PM PST by ransomnote
In a civil complaint filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Justice Department alleges that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co. and various subsidiaries (collectively, Walgreens) dispensed millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and then sought reimbursement for many of these prescriptions from various federal health care programs in violation the False Claims Act (FCA). Walgreens is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with over 8,000 pharmacies across the United States.
“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 Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Our complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of controlled substance prescriptions with clear red flags that indicated the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful, and that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substance prescriptions, without taking the time needed to confirm their validity. These practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores.”
The government’s complaint alleges that, from approximately August 2012 through the present, Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. Among the millions of unlawful prescriptions that Walgreens allegedly filled were prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, prescriptions for early refills of opioids and prescriptions for the especially dangerous and abused combination of drugs known as the “trinity,” which is made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant.
The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear “red flags” that indicated that the prescriptions were highly likely to be unlawful. Walgreens allegedly ignored substantial evidence from multiple sources that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, including from its own pharmacists and internal data.
The complaint further alleges that Walgreens systematically pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without taking the time needed to confirm each prescription’s validity. Walgreens also allegedly deprived its pharmacists of crucial information, including by preventing pharmacists from warning one another about certain prescribers.
The complaint alleges that by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, Walgreens violated the CSA and, where Walgreens sought reimbursement from federal health care programs, also violated the FCA. The complaint alleges that Walgreens’s actions helped to fuel the prescription opioid crisis and that, in some particularly tragic instances, patients died after overdosing on opioids shortly after filling unlawful prescriptions at Walgreens. If Walgreens is found liable, it could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each unlawful prescription filled in violation of the CSA and treble damages and applicable penalties for each prescription paid by federal programs in violation of the FCA. The court also may award injunctive relief to prevent Walgreens from committing further CSA violations.
“As alleged in the complaint, Walgreens continually disregarded its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act by illegally dispensing powerful controlled substances and unlawfully seeking reimbursement from federal health care programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “These laws are critically important in 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 properly dispensed and that taxpayer funds are only spent on legitimate pharmacy claims.”
“The damage caused by the opioid crisis continues to reverberate in the Middle District of Florida and around the country,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The filing of this civil complaint is a major step in our continued effort to confront those responsible for the harm they have done to our communities.”
“Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only lawful controlled substance prescriptions are dispensed – Walgreens failed to do just that,” said U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland. “We are committed to holding Walgreens accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across the country, including in Maryland.”
“This country is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic, and New York is no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny for the Eastern District of New York. “Walgreens, which operates one of the largest pharmacy chains in the United States, including nearly 300 pharmacies in the Eastern District of New York during the relevant time period, repeatedly ignored its obligations to ensure that these drugs did not fall into the wrong hands. My office will continue to work with others in the Justice Department to combat the opioid crisis by holding pharmacies that fill unlawful prescriptions accountable.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are doubling down on our commitment to both combat the opioid crisis and enforce corporate accountability,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya D. Song for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to work with colleagues across the nation to confront these issues and deter pharmacies from failing to honor their obligation to ensure that these powerful drugs are provided only to those with a true medical need.”
“Walgreens and its pharmacists have an obligation to ensure that every prescription they fill is legitimate and issued responsibly. As this lawsuit alleges, Walgreens failed in this obligation, and many times ignored the red flags that warned of suspicious prescribing practices,” said DEA Principal Deputy Administrator George Papadopoulos. “Walgreens placed the public in danger by disregarding their responsibility. DEA will continue to pursue any individual or corporation that chooses profit over patient safety and we will hold them accountable.”
“Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health care programs count on pharmacies to dispense drugs responsibly. When pharmacies disregard federal laws and put profits ahead of patients, they endanger Americans’ health and compromise taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains diligent in pursuing entities involved in unlawful behavior that abuses the public’s trust in health care services.”
Four different whistleblowers who previously worked for Walgreens in various parts of the country filed whistleblower actions under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. Those provisions authorize private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it has done here. The four cases have been consolidated and are captioned United States ex rel. Novak v. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. No. 18 C 5452 (NDIL).
The United States’ intervention in this matter underscores the government’s commitment to combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant Director Amy DeLine, Senior Litigation Counsel Donald Lorenzen and Trial Attorney Nicole Frazer of the Justice Department’s Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant Director Natalie Waites and Trial Attorney Joshua Barron of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy for the Northern District of Illinois, Chief of the Civil Division Randy Harwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida, Chief of the Civil Division Thomas Corcoran for the District of Maryland, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot M. Schachner for the Eastern District of New York and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Wuerker for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Colorado and the Southern District of California, the DEA, HHS-OIG, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Health Agency (DHA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General and FBI Chicago Field Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law. In March 2023, the Associate Attorney General announced the creation of the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, which formalizes and enhances coordination of the department’s existing work and will consider new initiatives. Because of the scope and duration of the crisis, the Task Force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, DEA and other department components. The Task Force steers the department’s civil litigation efforts involving actors alleged to have contributed to the opioid epidemic, including by diverting prescription opioids.
The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Additional information about the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/fraud-section.
For information about the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, visit:
- Middle District of Florida, justice.gov/usao-mdfl;
- Northern District of Illinois, justice.gov/usao-ndil;
- District of Maryland, justice.gov/usao-md;
- Eastern District of New York, justice.gov/usao-edny; and
- Eastern District of Virginia, justice.gov/usao-edva.
For information about the federal agencies involved in this investigation and their work to combat the opioid crisis and federal health care fraud, visit:
- ;
- DHA at health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency
- ;
- OPM at opm.gov
- ; and
- DOL at dol.gov
Updated January 17, 2025
I’d believe everything Walgreens said long before I’d believe anything the Department of “Justice” said.
“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”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Dangerous drugs like mRna vaccines?
Something does not read right about this. I am not saying Walgreens did no wrong, but seriously they want us to believe Walgreens is the reason for the opioid crisis? Reads like a Deep State DOJ psyop
Sigh.
Just one more asinine order for Pam Bondi to overturn when she takes office.
Monday can’t come soon enough.
Clot shot?
opiods
Slightly off topic but Walgreen’s, like CVS, has a stupid business model. They both have huge stores, but 95+% of the people who go there only go to pick up medicine. They don’t even think about buying any of the overpriced other items that make up the rest of the store. CVS has been closing stores right and left. Expect Walgreen’s to be next.
Rats are upset Walgreens is closing stores in thieving democrat cities. Keeping stores with wanton ‘shrinkage’ is unsustainable.
They won’t stop until the only thing a Dr. Will give you for severe pain is advil. I hope I never get another kidney stone.
Is that really up to the pharmacist? The doctor writes the Rx.
Yes
States regulate doctors and prescriptions.
It is up to the state to regulate the doctors.
States can limit the amount of a drug sold in their state.
A state can outlaw the import of a drug into the state.
A state can require prior approval, just like insurance companies do.
This is just a money grab.
My oral surgeon recommended a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen as I recollect.
Don’t have a wisdom tooth cut out and assume it won’t be painful afterward.
All the Rite Aids in Michigan closed.
Many CVS and now a lot of Walgreens’ are shutting down, too.
I want them to be open and convenient for me.
Not a government delivery scam with all online or whatever they have in mind to replace drug stores.
I know the overpriced health and beauty aids and the convenience store level food and beverage prices in the non-Rx part of the stores are being passed over by consumers. But I want real brick and mortar stores open. (As all know I am a Luddite.)
Two of my fascinating true stories:
Elderly Chinese woman’s long delayed diabetic supplies from the online supplier ended up somehow in my package bin at my apartment building. Apparently delayed for a couple of weeks and sent to another wrong address first._So I walked out and looked for her address one cold night and her maybe 19 yr.old niece hesitatingly came to the apartment building glass door after I held up a box.
She said she is going to college here and is now taking care of her aunt who lives with her, and the aunt has been crying because the online place insisted they already sent her supplies and they were marked “delivered” online and she couldn’t get more. Now I solved it by taking the package to her building.
2nd. Husband of my coworker also had a “delivered” online record but it was NOT delivered. His medication was vital but the doctor refused since he gave the Rx once for the online place and his computer said “delivered”, the online place would not duplicate it, and his old in person brick and mortar pharmacist said he could not just supply him any. At the last minute before running out
his doctor considered the effect of his patient ending up soon in the ER, he relented and was able to convince the appeals department of the online company to send the medication. Highly stressful.
I hate the internet age.
Yeah. That was my reaction too.
[[I hate the internet age.]]
It’s good in some ways, but yes, very bad in other ways- i think the bad may even outweigh the good
“Slightly off topic but Walgreen’s, like CVS, has a stupid business model. They both have huge stores, but 95+% of the people who go there only go to pick up medicine. They don’t even think about buying any of the overpriced other items that make up the rest of the store. CVS has been closing stores right and left. Expect Walgreen’s to be next.”
I remember CVS gobbling up pharmacies such as DC’s People’s Drug and opening big stores like crazy.
Unfortunately for the drug stores, insurance companies prefer mail prescriptions.
About five decades ago Dart Drug took advantage of special Sunday openings for drug stores. By 1990 the Sunday laws were changed and Dart Drug’s business model collapsed.
I don’t understand why Walgreens and CVS tend to locate across the street from each other.
Walmart’s with Pharmacies seem to be the only combo stores to have no problem making a profit everywhere.
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