US Court Files Civil Complaint Alleging Walgreens Dispensed Millions of Unlawful Prescriptions

The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois filed a civil complaint on January 16, 2025, leading to the Justice Department alleging that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co, and various subsidiaries dispensed millions of unlawful 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 US Department of Justice.

Walgreens, Opioids, Controlled Substance Act, False Claims Act | Image Credit: Timon | stock.adobe.com

“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,” Brian M. Boynton, JD, principal deputy assistant attorney general and head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in the news release. “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 department 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.” This included allegedly filling prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities, early refills, and a dangerous and abused combination of medications 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 be highly likely to be unlawful 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 pharmacists of crucial information, according to the news release.

“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,” Morris Pasqual, JD, acting US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said in the news release. “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.”

Furthermore, the department alleges that Walgreen’s actions fueled the opioid crisis and, in some instances, lead to patient deaths due to overdosing on opioids shortly after the alleged filling of unlawful prescriptions. If 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 by the federal programs. Additionally, the court could award injunctive relief to prevent Walgreens from committing any other violations to the 2 acts.

“Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring that only lawful controlled substance prescriptions are dispensed—Walgreens failed to do just that,” Erek Barron, JD, US Attorney for the District of Maryland, said in the news 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

Justice Department files nationwide lawsuit alleging Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose. News release. US Department of Justice. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-nationwide-lawsuit-alleging-walgreens-knowingly-filled-millions