DOJ Files 300-Page Lawsuit in Chicago Against Walgreens for Role in Opioid Crisis Since August 2012

Jan 17, 2025, 10:37 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a 300-page civil lawsuit against Walgreens in the U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleging that the pharmacy chain knowingly filled millions of prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose from August 2012 until the present. The lawsuit claims that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear red flags indicating their unlawfulness, contributing to the U.S. opioid crisis. The DOJ asserts that Walgreens pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly without confirming their validity, using metrics such as 'Verify By Promise Time' (VBPT), which expected a prescription to be filled within 15 minutes, and the 'Non-dispensing Pharmacist Report' to track pharmacists dispensing low rates of controlled substances. This pressure led to the illegal distribution of millions of opioid pills. Some Walgreens patients reportedly died of overdose deaths shortly after receiving these invalid prescriptions. Walgreens has responded by seeking court clarification on the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists, arguing against what it perceives as arbitrary rules enforced by the government. The company also defends its pharmacists, stating they fill legitimate prescriptions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The lawsuit follows similar actions against other major pharmacy chains, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the opioid epidemic.