Walmart has agreed to settle a US government lawsuit alleging violations in its handling and monitoring of opioid prescriptions.
Walmart has agreed to settle a US government lawsuit alleging that its pharmacies violated federal requirements governing the handling and dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances.
The US Justice Department said the settlement resolves allegations that Walmart failed to meet its obligations under the Controlled Substances Act in monitoring and dispensing controlled medications.
Details of the settlement, including any financial terms, were not immediately disclosed.
The Justice Department said it was pleased to resolve the allegations against Walmart and its pharmacies.
Walmart also confirmed the agreement, saying it was pleased to resolve the matter and would continue supporting its pharmacists in providing quality care to patients.
The Justice Department sued Walmart in 2020, accusing the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer of repeatedly violating the federal Controlled Substances Act since 2013.
Federal authorities said at the time that Walmart could face billions of dollars in civil penalties over the alleged violations.
The settlement follows Walmart’s agreement in 2022 to pay $3.1 billion to resolve thousands of lawsuits brought by state and local governments over its alleged role in the opioid crisis.
The opioid epidemic has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths across the United States and remains a major public health concern.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid-related deaths have declined in recent years, although opioid misuse and overdose remain a significant public health challenge.
