CVS Pharmacy Accused of Filling Unlawful Prescriptions
The Justice Department unsealed a civil complaint Wednesday alleging CVS Pharmacy Inc. and various subsidiaries filled “unlawful” prescriptions in violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Allegations of Unlawful Prescriptions
The complaint also says CVS sought reimbursement from federal health care programs for such prescriptions in violation of the False Claims Act. CVS is the largest pharmacy chain in the U.S., where there are more than 9,000 pharmacies.
Types of Unlawful Prescriptions
Among the unlawful prescriptions that CVS allegedly filled from Oct. 17, 2013, to the present were for:
- dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids
- early fills of opioids
- “trinity” prescriptions — a dangerous combination of drugs made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant
CVS’s Response
A representative of CVS said the company has cooperated with the DOJ’s investigation for more than four years, and strongly disagrees with the allegations and what it called the “false narrative” within the complaint.
Potential Consequences
If CVS is found liable, it could face civil penalties for each unlawful prescription filled and treble damages and other penalties for each prescription reimbursed by federal health care programs.
Background
The filing of the complaint follows the announcement on Friday that the McKinsey & Company consulting firm has agreed to pay $650 million to settle a federal investigation into its work to help opioids manufacturer Purdue Pharma boost the sales of the highly addictive drug OxyContin.
It’s the latest effort by federal prosecutors to hold companies accountable that officials say helped fuel the U.S. addiction and overdose crisis, with opioids linked to more than 80,000 annual deaths in some recent years.
Conclusion
The allegations against CVS Pharmacy Inc. highlight the importance of pharmacies playing a critical role in preventing the misuse of prescription opioids. The company’s cooperation with the investigation and its disagreement with the allegations will be crucial in determining the outcome of this case.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against CVS Pharmacy Inc.?
A: The Justice Department alleges that CVS filled “unlawful” prescriptions in violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act and sought reimbursement from federal health care programs for such prescriptions in violation of the False Claims Act.
Q: What types of prescriptions were allegedly filled by CVS?
A: The prescriptions included dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, early fills of opioids, and “trinity” prescriptions — a dangerous combination of drugs made up of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant.
Q: What is the potential consequence for CVS if found liable?
A: If CVS is found liable, it could face civil penalties for each unlawful prescription filled and treble damages and other penalties for each prescription reimbursed by federal health care programs.
Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: The case highlights the importance of pharmacies playing a critical role in preventing the misuse of prescription opioids and the need for companies to be held accountable for their actions in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis.
