Walgreens has agreed to pay $350 million to resolve allegations it filled millions of unlawful opioid prescriptions and submitted false claims for payment to federal healthcare programs.
The settlement includes a $300 million base payment and an additional $50 million if the company is merged or sold before 2032, according to an April 21 news release from the Justice Department.
The government’s complaint alleged that from August 2012 through March 1, 2023, Walgreens knowingly filled unlawful controlled substance prescriptions including excessive quantities of opioids and early refills.
The complaint further alleged that the company pressured pharmacists into filling prescriptions quickly and intentionally withheld data about prescribers.
In addition to the payments, Walgreens entered into agreements with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the HHS Office of Inspector General to implement compliance measures over the next seven years, the release said.
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