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DOJ Files 300-Page Lawsuit in Chicago Against Walgreens for Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions Since 2012

Jan 18, 2025, 02:17 AM

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a 300-page lawsuit against Walgreens in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, accusing the pharmacy chain of filling millions of unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, from August 2012 to the present. The lawsuit alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled prescriptions with clear red flags indicating they were likely unlawful, and that the company pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without verifying their validity. Walgreens is also accused of ignoring evidence from its own pharmacists and internal data that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions. The company, which operates over 8,000 locations, has responded by stating it stands behind its pharmacists, who it claims fill legitimate prescriptions in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Walgreens is seeking court clarification on the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists, arguing against what it calls arbitrary government rules. Following the lawsuit announcement, Walgreens stock sank. The DOJ filed a similar lawsuit against CVS in December.