HOW YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY CHAIN CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

The opioid epidemic and subsequent litigation have focused largely on manufacturers such as Purdue Pharma and wholesalers like McKesson that enabled the flow of highly addictive prescription painkillers that have killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Yet giant retail pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart were also involved—and to a greater extent than was previously known, according to a review of litigation documents and trial testimony by STAT News. The documents, from cases against the pharmacy chains, show they were eager to keep filling opioid prescriptions and reaping the profits rather than ensure the health of their customers. They had weak and disorganized prescription control systems and executives often resisted improved monitoring. In one case, two CVS locations in Orlando, Flordia, knowingly filled dozens of prescriptions from a doctor whose license had been revoked amid allegations of illegal prescribing. This all took place amid an accelerating drug crisis in which opioids—mostly prescription painkillers like OxyContin, dispensed by the pharmacies—played a big part, as such drugs eventually led to thousands of cases of addiction and overdoses. Many of the documents revealed glaring gaps in the ability of pharmacies to track the powerful drugs changing hands at their counters. And even if a local pharmacy tried to alert higher-ups about the need for more scrutiny, and more controls on suspect physicians, they were routinely rebuffed. The documents also showed the inability of pharmacies to stem suspicious or fraudulent prescriptions. Like the manufacturers and distributors, pharmacies have also recently settled many of the lawsuits: CVS, for instance, agreed to pay $567 million and Walmart $650 million, although legal battles continue as the chains fight the allegations. The settlement money will go toward education, prevention, and treatment programs for those struggling with substance use, but the litigation is a reminder of the greed that fueled the opioid epidemic that the nation is still grappling with.