Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is staring at billions of dollars in fines for allegedly playing a pivotal role in fuelling the opioid crisis in the US. The US Department of Justice is suing the retailer for filling thousands of invalid prescriptions and failing to report suspicious opioid orders. The retailer is among a number of companies that the DOJ has been pursuing for allegedly fuelling the nation’s opioid crisis.
Walmart vs. DOJ
The DOJ is seeking civil penalties, having filled the complaint with the US District Court for the District of Delaware. The DOJ alleges that a multi-year investigation found that the retailer violated the Controlled Substance Act in the charge sheet.
In addition, the DOJ insists that Walmart, as the largest pharmacy chain and wholesale drug distributor, had the responsibility to prevent the filling of suspicious opioid order. However, the retailer opted to fill thousands of controlled substance prescriptions not issued for legitimate medical purposes. The nation’s largest retailer has also found itself in trouble for allegedly failing to report hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Opioid Crisis
In its defense, Walmart has refuted all the claims as alleged by the DOJ. The retailer has blasted the agency over what it calls the invention of a legal theory that calls for pharmacies to come between patients and their doctors.
In addition, Walmart insists it always empowered its pharmacists to refuse to fill problematic opioids prescriptions, having turned down hundreds of thousands of such prescriptions. Likewise, it insists on sending the DEA tens of thousands of investigative leads, having also blocked thousands of questionable doctors.
With Walmart standing its ground against the DOJ claims, it promises to be a long tussle in court. The retailer is unlikely to plead guilty. Purdue Pharma, which was also under immense regulatory scrutiny, opted to plead guilty to three federal criminal charges. The company has since agreed to pay $8 billion for escalating widespread abuse of prescription painkillers. The company will also close down.