Walgreens class action claims retailer misleads consumers on hydrogen peroxide use

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Walgreens class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: A Walgreens customer filed a class action lawsuit against the retail pharmacy company.
• Why: The plaintiff claims Walgreens misleads customers into thinking its hydrogen peroxide products are safe to use on cuts and scrapes. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.

An Illinois resident is suing Walgreens for allegedly misleading customers into thinking that its hydrogen peroxide product can safely be used for treating cuts and scrapes. 

Jim Novotney, the lead plaintiff of the Walgreens class action, takes issue with Walgreens-branded 3% hydrogen peroxide products which are advertised for “First Aid Antiseptic” use. Novotney points to several medical studies that attest to the contrary, that hydrogen peroxide should not be used for cuts and scrapes. 

Novotney claims Walgreens has violated consumer protections, breached warranties, and has engaged in negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and unjust enrichment. He seeks to represent an Illinois class for those who bought the product during the statutes of limitations for each cause of action alleged and a consumer fraud multi-state class to include purchasers in Montana, Louisiana, South Carolina, Wyoming, Idaho, Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa, Mississippi, and Utah.

Walgreens hydrogen peroxide claims backed by ‘no credible’ evidence, class action says

The class action complaint against Walgreens alleges its hydrogen peroxide product makes false and misleading claims when its labels instruct consumers to use it “For treatment of minor cuts & abrasions.” 

“No credible scientific and medical evidence supports this usage of hydrogen peroxide,” the complaint says, citing the Mayo Clinic and other medical studies that advise that hydrogen peroxide actually “causes more harm than good.” 

Specifically, the complaint alleges that “numerous studies found hydrogen peroxide ineffective at reducing bacterial counts and rates of wound infection,” and that “though hydrogen peroxide may kill some potentially harmful bacteria, it destroys a greater amount of positive bacteria and healthy cells that promote healing.” Hydrogen peroxide also increases risk of infection, tissue damage, scarring, inflammation, and blistering, according to the complaint. 

The class action complaint also takes issue with the label’s statement of the product being “Walgreens Pharmacist Recommended.” This is “contrary to medical and scientific evidence and causes consumer harm through promoting purchase of the product,” the complaint argues. 

Novotney seeks injunctive relief to get Walgreens to remove or correct its hydrogen peroxide labels, restitution and disgorgement, monetary damages, statutory and/or punitive damages, and costs and expenses.

If you’ve purchased Walgreens-brand hydrogen peroxide, you could be eligible to join this class action lawsuit!

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C.

The WalgreensClass Action Lawsuit is Novotney v. Walgreen Co., Case No. 1:22-cv-03439, in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

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