Walgreens Will Pay Up To $350 Million Over DOJ Accusations

Walgreens has agreed to a $300 million-$350 million settlement with the US Justice Department over allegations of improper opioid prescription practices.

Quick Takes

Walgreens has agreed to settle for up to $350 million over unlawful opioid prescriptions.
The settlement resolves allegations under the Controlled Substances and False Claims Acts.
Compliance agreements with DEA and HHS-OIG require enhanced dispensing practices.
The settlement includes measures for monitoring and improving Walgreens’ prescription validation.

Settlement Details and Allegations

A new Walgreens settlement, valued up to $350 million, stems from claims of improperly filling opioid prescriptions. The company’s failures in adhering to prescription protocols violated the Controlled Substances Act and prompted false reimbursement claims under the False Claims Act, according to the Justice Department. The initial $300 million targets these allegations, while an additional $50 million may be required if Walgreens undergoes corporate changes before 2032.

The settlement addresses accusations of pressure on pharmacists to fulfill prescriptions without appropriate validation since 2012. Walgreens allegedly sought payments from federal healthcare programs for these invalid prescriptions, which included ignoring red flags of unlawful dispensing. The agreement aims to rectify dispensing practices and improve compliance with Controlled Substances Act requirements.

Walgreens Agrees to Pay Up to $350M for Illegally Filling Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions and for Submitting False Claims to the Federal Government

🔗: https://t.co/kbrNTXwSeu pic.twitter.com/EOKfsBal0F

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) April 21, 2025

Compliance and Monitoring Enhancements

Walgreens has committed to a compliance program lasting seven years, alongside a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the HHS-OIG. This includes improved training, better staffing, and stringent prescription validation protocols. The settlement mandates Walgreens’ adherence to rigorous compliance measures to monitor and reform dispensing practices for controlled substances.

The allegations, involving millions of prescriptions from 2012 to 2023, highlight concerns about systemic issues within Walgreens’ operations. “Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated. “This Department of Justice is committed to ending the opioid crisis and holding bad actors accountable for their failure to protect patients from addiction.”

Impact and Expectations

This resolution marks the largest Controlled Substances Act settlement in the Northern District of Illinois’s history. By addressing these serious allegations, Walgreens aims to align with federal expectations and enhance the safety measures for opioid dispensing. The terms signify a clear directive from authorities to pharmacy chains on their role and duties around controlled substances.

The company is expected to report its progress periodically to the involved federal agencies, ensuring adherence to the new stringent protocols. While admitting no wrongdoing, Walgreens has said, “Our pharmacists are dedicated healthcare professionals who care deeply about patient safety and continue to play a critical role in providing education and resources to help combat opioid misuse and abuse across our country.”