NEW: CVS Pharmacy to Pay $535K for Filling Invalid Prescriptions
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: CVS Pharmacy to Pay $535K for Filling Invalid Prescriptions
The settlement caps an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the DEA Office of Diversion Control of CVS’ conduct at several of its Rhode Island retail pharmacy locations in filling prescriptions for controlled substances with a high potential for abuse.
In this case, the United States alleged that CVS retail pharmacies in Rhode Island filled thirty-nine prescriptions for Percocet, a Schedule II narcotic, that CVS pharmacists had reason to know were forged. CVS has denied wrongdoing in the case.
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"Today’s settlement demonstrates DEA’s commitment to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed," said Boyle.
The Investigation
Under the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations, substances such as painkillers and opioids can only be prescribed for legitimate medical purposes by a physician.
The law, however, also places a “corresponding responsibility” on the pharmacist filling the prescription to ensure that the prescription is valid and legal.
“This settlement demonstrates that the Department of Justice remains committed to using all the legal tools at its disposal to ensure that everyone in the chain of controlled substance distribution -- from physicians to pharmacists -- abides by the strict requirements of the law," said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.