Walgreens to pay $500k settlement
August 20, 2015
American pharmacy giant
Walgreens has been ordered to
pay a US$502,200 settlement in
a consumer protection lawsuit
brought in California.
The San Diego County District
Attorney alleged the company
failed to always provide pharmacist
consultations for patients who
had been prescribed a new drug
or a new dosage - contrary to
requirements of the California State
Board of Pharmacy, which referred
23 citations issued to Walgreens to
the prosecutor.
District attorneys in several
jurisdictions began an undercover
investigation of major pharmacy
chains across the state, and
found a “consistent failure to
provide consultations” during 28
undercover purchases.
The investigation also saw similar
breaches recorded against CVS
and Rite Aid in 2013 and 2014,
which were also ordered to pay
US$658,000 and US$498,000. “Pharmacist consultations
prevent drug errors and ensure that
patients have the right prescription
for their condition,” said District
Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
“Without these checks and
balances, dire consequences could
result,” she added.
As well as the payment,
Walgreens has been ordered to
fully comply with the regulations
and implement an internal
compliance program.
A Walgreens spokesman was
quoted by NBC as saying “our
settlement agreement is consistent
with our company’s long-standing
commitment to make pharmacists
available to patients for advice and
consultation on their medications
and any other health concerns they
may have”.
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