DOJ Sues Walgreens for Allegedly Filling Unlawful Prescriptions
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the pharmacy giant Walgreens, accusing the company of dispensing millions of unlawful prescriptions. The DOJ alleges that from August 2012 until the present, Walgreens knowingly filled prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not valid, and/or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.
According to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the DOJ’s Civil Division, Walgreens pharmacists filled prescriptions with “clear red flags” indicating that they were likely unlawful. The company allegedly pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions, including controlled substances, without verifying their validity, leading to the illegal distribution of millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances.
Patients Allegedly Died of Overdose After Getting Invalid Prescriptions
The DOJ’s 300-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims that some Walgreens patients died of overdose shortly after receiving invalid prescriptions filled at Walgreens. The lawsuit accuses Walgreens of prioritizing profits over safety and compliance by implementing policies that required pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly, compromising their ability to verify the legality of the prescriptions.
Walgreens, in response to the lawsuit, stated that it is seeking clarification on the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists and is challenging the government’s enforcement of rules that are not backed by law or regulation. The company defended its pharmacists as dedicated healthcare professionals who comply with all applicable laws and regulations when filling prescriptions.
Walgreens’ Alleged Violations and Legal Arguments
The lawsuit alleges that Walgreens issued written policies reflecting its understanding of legal obligations but took actions that prevented pharmacists from complying with them. One such action was the implementation of the ‘Verify By Promise Time’ (VBPT) metric, which required pharmacists to fill prescriptions within 15 minutes for customers waiting in-store.
Additionally, Walgreens tracked pharmacists who dispensed a low rate of controlled substances through the ‘Non-dispensing Pharmacist Report,’ creating pressure on pharmacists to fill controlled-substance prescriptions to maintain customer service standards.
In conclusion, the DOJ’s lawsuit against Walgreens sheds light on the alleged unlawful practices within the pharmacy giant and raises concerns about the prioritization of profit over safety and compliance. Walgreens’ response to the lawsuit underscores the importance of clarity in regulations and the protection of pharmacists’ ability to fulfill their responsibilities ethically and legally.
