3 sources·Health

DOJ Accuses Walgreens of Filling Millions of Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions

The Department of Justice has filed a major lawsuit against Walgreens for allegedly filling millions of invalid and dangerous opioid prescriptions since 2012.

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The allegations against Walgreens highlight a troubling pattern of misconduct within the pharmacy giant, where the pressure to fill prescriptions appears to have overshadowed the responsibility to ensure their legality.
Justice Department lawsuit accuses Walgreens of filling millions of unlawful opioid prescriptions
CBS News·2M
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The allegations against Walgreens highlight a troubling failure in the pharmacy's ability to manage controlled substances responsibly, further complicating the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis.
US accuses Walgreens of filling millions of illegitimate prescriptions, including for opioids
Associated Press·2M
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The lawsuit highlights Walgreens' troubling prioritization of profits over patient safety, revealing a systemic culture that stifled pharmacists' ability to ensure the legitimacy of prescriptions.
DOJ sues Walgreens, alleging it 'knowingly' filled millions of prescriptions that lacked legit medical purposes
NBC News·3M
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Updated: Jan 17th, 2025, 11:07 PM ET

Summary

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The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Walgreens for knowingly filling millions of unlawful opioid prescriptions since 2012, alleging systematic pressure on pharmacists to prioritize speed over accuracy. The lawsuit claims that Walgreens regularly ignored red flags indicating the illegality of these prescriptions, leading to dangerous quantities of opioids being dispensed. The chain's staffing policies allegedly prevented pharmacists from fulfilling their professional responsibilities. Walgreens disputes these claims and is seeking judicial clarification on pharmacy responsibilities while emphasizing its commitment to legitimate practices.

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