The U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration have reached a $50 million settlement with Walmart over allegations that its pharmacies had been filing thousands of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward emphasized the government's commitment to protect Americans from the perils of the opioid epidemic. "This settlement proves this Department is committed to putting Americans' flourishing first," he said. "Congress enacted laws to promote responsibility and accountability for companies who dispense controlled substances to protect Americans. This Department will never shy away from vigorously enforcing pharmacies' obligations to comply with those protections, ensuring that potential profits never justify aiding our Nation's opioid epidemic."
The complaint filed against Walmart alleged that since June 26, 2013, the company had filed invalid prescriptions through the actions of its compliance team and pharmacists. The U.S. accused members of Walmart's compliance team of being aware that certain prescribers operated as "pill mills" but continued to fill invalid prescriptions they wrote.
The investigation revealed that the compliance team prioritized goals such as driving sales and patient awareness over compliance with the Controlled Substances Act. One director reportedly commented that the compliance team viewed "[d]riving sales and patient awareness" as "a far better use of our market directors and market manager's time."
Furthermore, the U.S. alleged that Walmart pharmacists knowingly filed prescriptions they knew were invalid. These invalid prescriptions were often written by known "pill mill" prescribers or contained obvious red flags, such as dangerous combinations of opioids, excessively repeated fills of high-dosage opioids, or repeated requests for early fills of controlled substances.
In addition to the settlement amount, Walmart has agreed to take several steps to address future obligations in dispensing controlled substances. The company has committed to setting up a hotline for employees and patients to report suspected illegal dispensing of controlled substances. It will also proactively monitor its pharmacies' dispensing patterns to identify and address potentially illegal dispensing. Additionally, Walmart will establish a process to evaluate prescribers suspected of illegal prescribing.
The settlement highlights the ongoing efforts of the U.S. government to combat the opioid crisis, which has claimed countless lives and caused widespread harm across the nation. It serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities pharmacies and other healthcare providers have in ensuring the safe and legal dispensing of controlled substances.
Walmart's agreement to take these additional steps is a significant move towards accountability and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. By proactively addressing potential issues and establishing a clear process for evaluating suspect prescribers, the company is demonstrating a commitment to preventing further harm and complying with the law.
The $50 million settlement is a substantial financial penalty for Walmart, but it is a necessary step towards addressing the harm caused by the company's past actions. It is also a warning to other businesses that similar violations of the Controlled Substances Act will not be tolerated.
The settlement is a positive development in the fight against the opioid crisis. It underscores the importance of holding companies accountable for their actions and reinforces the government's commitment to protecting the public's health and safety.
As the nation continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, cases like this one serve as a reminder of the urgent need for continued efforts to address the issue. The settlement with Walmart is a significant step forward, and it is hoped that it will inspire similar actions from other businesses and healthcare providers to help combat this national crisis.
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