DOJ suing Rite Aid for missing ‘red flags’ in opioid epidemic
Share this @internewscast.com



The Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing pharmacy giant Rite Aid for allegedly filling hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances that had “obvious red flags” amid the country’s opioid epidemic. 

The DOJ is arguing that Rite Aid violated the federal False Claims Act and the Controlled Substances Act, submitting false prescription claims to government health care programs and knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, according to a Tuesday release.

“We allege that Rite Aid filled hundreds of thousands of prescriptions that did not meet legal requirements,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said. “According to our complaint, Rite Aid’s pharmacists repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances with obvious red flags, and Rite Aid intentionally deleted internal notes about suspicious prescribers.”

“These practices opened the floodgates for millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Rite Aid’s stores,” Gupta added.

One of the nation’s top pharmacy chains, Rite Aid runs more than 2,200 pharmacies in 17 states.

The DOJ is alleging that Rite Aid filled prescriptions that did not have a legitimate medical purpose or were not “issued in the usual course of professional practice” between May 2014 and June 2019. Among the prescribed drugs were opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl, according to the release. 

“The Justice Department is using every tool at our disposal to confront the opioid epidemic that is killing Americans and shattering communities across the country. That includes holding corporations, like Rite Aid, accountable,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. 

The Hill has reached out to Rite Aid for comment.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Doctors reveal kids are now being hospitalised with breathing issues caused by vaping

Children are being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a ‘disturbing’ youth…

Rishi Sunak announces that thousands of NHS patients could receive ‘game-changing’ weight-loss drug

Tens of thousands more NHS patients could receive ‘game-changing’ weight-loss drug, Rishi…

7 Fast-Food Chains That Serve the Best Hot Chicken

Fast-food chicken sandwiches are a-plenty, and your standard fried chicken sandwiches with…

Struggling to shift the pounds? Blame your FAMILY, scientists say

Losing weight can feel like an insurmountable task, but new research shows…

‘Silver tsunami’ of older cancer patients to hit NHS

The rising ageing population will see UK cancer cases surge by a…

Smog To Suffering: Link Between Pollution And Respiratory Diseases

Air pollutants are linked to respiratory health issues: What sources are responsible…

Debilitating hay fever symptoms caused man, 29, to miss job interviews and events

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, which affects around a…

Global nursing body warns NHS recruitment from poorer countries like Ghana is ‘out of control’

The recruitment of nurses from poor countries by rich nations such as…

Menstruation Hygiene: Shocking Things That Can Happen When You Don’t Change Pads Every 4 Hours

Things That Can Happen When You Don’t Change Pads Every 4 Hours…

This Is the Best Restaurant in America Right Now

On Monday, June 5, the 32nd annual James Beard Awards Ceremony took…

Merck sues U.S. government over plan to negotiate Medicare drug prices, claiming “extortion”

Drugmaker Merck is suing the U.S. government over its plan to allow…

8 Foods That Make Your Pee Smell—and Why

We may not talk about it publicly, but we have all noticed…