CVS faces lawsuit over illegal opioid prescriptions

Investing.com -- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday a lawsuit against CVS, accusing the pharmacy giant of filling and billing federal health insurance programs for illegal opioid prescriptions, a practice that has contributed to a nationwide opioid addiction and overdose crisis.

The lawsuit, recently unsealed in a federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, alleges that CVS has been involved in this illicit activity since October 2013. The DOJ claims that CVS filled prescriptions for hazardous quantities of opioids, provided early refills, and combined dangerous drugs, all in violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act.

According to the DOJ, these violations were motivated by company-enforced performance metrics. In certain instances, patients tragically died of overdoses shortly after filling these illegal prescriptions.

In response to the lawsuit, CVS has strongly contested the allegations. The company stated, "We have cooperated with the DOJ's investigation for more than four years, and we strongly disagree with the allegations and false narrative within this complaint." The outcome of this lawsuit is yet to be determined.

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Source: Investing.com