DOJ Sues CVS Health Corp. for Knowingly Filling Illegal Opioid Prescriptions Amid Nationwide Crisis

Dec 18, 2024, 11:45 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against CVS Health Corp., alleging that the pharmacy chain knowingly filled and billed federal health insurance programs for illegal opioid prescriptions, contributing to the nationwide opioid addiction and overdose crisis. The lawsuit claims that from October 17, 2013, to the present, CVS filled prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, including dangerous quantities of opioids, early fills, and 'trinity' prescriptions, which combine an opioid, a benzodiazepine, and a muscle relaxant. The DOJ alleges that CVS ignored red flags and evidence from its own pharmacists and internal data, prioritizing corporate profits over patient safety. The lawsuit also accuses CVS of filling prescriptions from prescribers known to be engaged in 'pill mill practices,' where large numbers of controlled substance prescriptions are issued without a medical purpose. CVS, operating over 9,000 pharmacies across the U.S., has stated that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and will defend itself vigorously against the DOJ lawsuit.