Public statements from CVS, news reports

DOJ Sues CVS for Illegally Dispensing Opioids in Whistleblower Lawsuit, Ignoring Red Flags on December 18, 2024

Dec 18, 2024, 09:45 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against CVS Health, alleging that the pharmacy chain illegally dispensed controlled substances, including opioids, which contributed to the ongoing overdose crisis. The lawsuit, unsealed on December 18, 2024, claims that CVS pharmacies were dangerously understaffed and ignored warning signs while filling prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose. The DOJ's complaint highlights that CVS filled and billed federal health insurance programs for unlawful opioid prescriptions, exacerbating the nationwide epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. This lawsuit is part of a whistleblower case that has drawn attention to the practices of the pharmacy giant.