CVS Pharmacy has agreed to pay $315 million to resolve Justice Department allegations that it illegally filled opioid and other controlled substance prescriptions, according to an Oct. 13 news release.
Here are five things to know:
- The settlement resolves allegations that, from Oct. 17, 2013, through Dec. 2, 2025, CVS filled prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and then sought payment for many of them from Medicare and other federal healthcare programs in violation of the False Claims Act. The Justice Department said the claims are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
- The deal ends a case the government filed in December 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The government alleged CVS dispensed dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids, early refills and “trinity” prescriptions, a combination of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant. It also alleged CVS filled prescriptions from “pill mill” prescribers who issued large numbers of controlled substance prescriptions without a medical purpose, and that CVS pharmacists filled them despite clear red flags.
- The complaint alleged the violations stemmed from corporate performance metrics, incentive pay and staffing policies that prioritized profits over patient safety. It said CVS did not employ enough pharmacists to serve patients and meet its legal obligations and that its policies kept pharmacists from warning one another about problematic prescribers.
- CVS also entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration that requires it to set up a hotline for employees and the public to report suspected illegal dispensing, proactively monitor dispensing patterns at its pharmacies and establish a process to evaluate prescribers suspected of illegal prescribing.
- Walgreens agreed to pay $350 million in April 2025 to resolve similar allegations. CVS has also faced False Claims Act exposure through its subsidiary Omnicare, which was hit with a $949 million judgment in 2025, and a bankruptcy court approved its sale in May.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
