Walgreens agreed to pay $106 million to settle lawsuits that alleged it submitted false payment claims with government health care programs for prescriptions that were never dispensed.

Walgreens has agreed to pay $106 million to settle lawsuits that alleged the pharmacy chain submitted false payment claims with government health care programs for prescriptions that were never dispensed.

The settlement announced on Friday resolves lawsuits filed in New Mexico, Texas and Florida on behalf of three people who had worked in Walgreens’ pharmacy operation. The lawsuits were filed under a whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act that lets private parties file case on behalf of the United States government and share in the recovery of money, the U.S. Justice Department said. The pharmacy chain was accused of submitting false payment claims to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs between 2009 and 2020 for prescriptions that were processed but never picked up.

In a statement, Walgreens said that because of a software error, the chain inadvertently billed some government programs for a relatively small number of prescriptions that patients submitted but never picked up.

  • Maeve
    4•3 months ago

    I’m of two minds here. Part says they could and should lose their license to dispense and government contracts; the other part knows this is often the only pharmacy people can access.

          • Maeve
            1•3 months ago

            I hear that, brother. The politicians need to be planning a new deal; Americans are fed up with high costs and no benefits, other than making enemies around the globe and prison slavery pipeline.

            • HubertManne
              2•3 months ago

              yeah instead of a chicken in every pot how about eveyone can see a doc.

              • Maeve
                1•3 months ago

                See a doc, afford medical compliance, rent, could care, transportation, food, rest and leisure would be a bare minimum beginning.

    • @ChonkyOwlbear
      8•3 months ago

      Sounds like the company needs to be forced to pay for full time government employees who supervise the company to insure compliance.

      • Maeve
        3•3 months ago

        I’d prefer rich corporations and individuals be heavily taxed to pay for universal comprehensive care. No means testing, deductibles, or copay.

        • @ChonkyOwlbear
          3•3 months ago

          Absolutely agree, but at some point there will still be someone reporting expenses to the government and that needs to be trustworthy info.

    • HubertManne
      2•3 months ago

      its our pharmacy but the real bad part is then we are just stuck with cvs. its like taking out comcast.

      • Maeve
        0•3 months ago

        And laughing all the way to their offshore banks, should that happen.