The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit accusing Walmart pharmacies of illegally dispensing controlled substances, thereby allegedly contributing to the opioid crisis.
The civil complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court in Delaware, accuses the company of “hundreds of thousands of violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA),” according to a Justice Department news release.
According to the release, if Walmart is found liable, the company could face penalties of up to $67,627 for each prescription illegally filled by Walmart pharmacies and $15,691 per each suspicious order that was not reported.
“Under the CSA, every participant in the supply chain bears responsibility for preventing the misuse of controlled substances,” the lawsuit states.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit says there are more than 5,000 Walmart pharmacies across the U.S., and, until 2018, the company “acted as a wholesale distributor of controlled substances for its own pharmacies.”
Therefore, the company had the responsibility of not only deciding whether to fill Walmart pharmacies’ wholesale orders, but also of whether to fill individual consumers’ prescriptions.
The Department of Justice’s Prescription Interdiction & Litigation (PIL) Task Force conducted a multiyear investigation that led to the lawsuit, according to the news release. Allegedly, Walmart pharmacies “knowingly filled thousands” of prescriptions for controlled substances that were not for legitimate medical use.
The complaint also alleges Walmart received “hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders” and failed to report them to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“The opioid crisis has exacted a catastrophic human toll upon the residents of our district and upon our country,” Maria Chapa Lopez, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, said in the Justice Department’s release. “National pharmacy chains must meet their legal obligations when dispensing and distributing these powerful medications. The filing of this complaint in collaboration with the Department of Justice and other United States Attorneys’ Offices demonstrates our firm commitment to enforcing these critical legal requirements.”
Recently, Purdue Pharma agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges for its role in the opioid crisis.
With its plea, the company admits it marketed opioids to doctors it suspected were writing illegal prescriptions, then lied to the DEA.
The plaintiffs in the Walmart lawsuit are seeking injunctive relief to “address and restrain” Walmart’s alleged violations. They also seek an award of the maximum civil penalties allowed by law and any further relief the Court deems appropriate.
What is your opinion of the Justice Department’s lawsuit? Do you think Walmart pharmacies share some responsibility for the opioid crisis? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
The U.S. is represented by Jeffrey Bossert Clark, acting assistant attorney general, Civil Division; Daniel J. Feith, deputy assistant attorney general; and the District of Colorado, District of Delaware, Eastern District of North Carolina, Eastern District of New York and Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
The Department of Justice Walmart Opioids Lawsuit is U.S. v. Walmart Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-01744-UNA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
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57 thoughts onWalmart Pharmacies Face DOJ Lawsuit for Filling Suspect Opioid Scripts
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Please add me, as I am also anticipating payout from Purdue.
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I have a debilitating muscle and nerve disorder from an automobile accident and only opioids can help to control the pain I suffer. I tried nerve blocks and other holistic remedies and only opioids help me at all. I am not an addict and have used the opioids for over 25 years with no addiction. I frequently rotate the prescription to enhance the effects of the pain medicine. MY Wal-Mart goes through a rigorous procedure to verify and ascertain that my doctor has done his part to verify that I need this prescription. I go to the doctor each time I need a refill so that I meet the federal and state requirements to get the prescription. I feel that Wal-Mart, at least mine, does what it needs to do to meet federal guidelines. I feel that this lawsuit is a misguided attempt to stop people from getting the medicine they need to treat their medical problems. I the U.S. Government had it’s way none of us would be able to get opioids to treat our medical problems. Because the U.S. has failed so miserably, by not being more aggressive in prosecuting drug dealers and pushers with a death penalty, they now want to go after legitimate entities that prescribe medicinal opioids.
I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT HAS EXACT SITUATION AS YOU DO AND I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. IT IS SAD THAT SO MANY FROM HIGH UP IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE INVOLVED AND ALLOW DRUGS TO BE SMUGGLED INTO THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO ALLOW SOME THAT ARE IN CAHOOT WITH AND HAVE FORMED A STRONG ALLIANCE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND DRUG DEALERS THAT IS PATHETIC ALL FOR THE MIGHTY $$$$$$$$$$$$, BUT IT IS MORE MONEY AND DRUGS INVOLVED IN THAT HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED. NOW MARIJUANA IS LEGAL, AND WHO IS IN CONTROL OF THIS FROM THE TOP DOWN, SAME ONES. SOME ARE OUR POLITICIANS WE VOTE FOR AND WOULD NOT HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR HOW THEY GOT INVOLVED. SOME WERE THREATENED AND OTHERS VOLUNTEERED. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY, AND THEY ALWAYS WANT TO POINT THE FINGER AT THE PEOPLE THAT NEED MEDICATION. I DONT WISH BAD ON ANYONE, BUT IF SOME OF THEM WERE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU OR MY FAMILY MEMBER GOES THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS, THEY WOULD STOP THIS NONSENSE, AND LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE.
I agree with you and David…..just to add my 2 cents on how ridiculous they make it for honest people to get what they need and for the corruption at the top to continue….I have used Allegra D for many many years. I used to get it by prescription because my allergies are constant and chronic and debilitating….when they made Allegra D over the counter, they really didn’t make it over the counter. What I had to go through to get a box was bizarre as I was told over and over that it was used to make meth…Really?? But still I had to sign a form and show ID to continue to take care of my allergies and then I was LIMITED to a certain amount a month even though I have to take them everyday! I got so disgusted after a year or two of this that I stopped the D and tried those without the D just to get away from the madness! However, my congestion persists and I suffer with this because of regulations saying I cannot continue to take the medicine I was taking under prescription for decades without jumping through unnecessary hoops. Madness!
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I’d like to be added to this one! I’m also curious if the Roundup sign up is still open. I read it was, but cannot locate it. Thank you.
Please add me for 15 months they allowed me to fill 180 tablets a month
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Are you representing anyone regarding the class action suit involving Hyundai vehicles? My vehicle was part of it. Please let me know as I want someone to help me.
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