Walgreens has agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department that could cost the company up to $350 million. The DOJ accused Walgreens of filling millions of opioid prescriptions that were either illegal or lacked a valid medical purpose. The government said the prescriptions were filled between August 2012 and March 2023. Walgreens also allegedly pressured its pharmacists to rush the process and ignore warning signs. Some prescriptions were filled too early or involved dangerously high quantities of opioids.

Walgreens Accused of Ignoring Red Flags In Opioid Distributions

According to the DOJ complaint, Walgreens submitted claims for many of these prescriptions to Medicare and other government health programs. Investigators say the company violated the Controlled Substances Act. Walgreens compliance teams were also blamed for ignoring red flags and keeping pharmacists in the dark.

Internal data that could have helped identify problem prescribers was reportedly withheld from staff. The DOJ said a $300 million payment is based on Walgreens’ current financial status. Another $50 million will be added if the company is sold or merged before 2032.

“Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

The federal agency emphasized that this case is part of a broader strategy to combat the opioid crisis in America. Tens of thousands of lives are lost each year due to opioid-related overdoses. Officials say pharmacy chains must play a more responsible role in how these drugs are distributed. Walgreens did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to settle.