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Walgreens agreeing to pay a $300 million settlement Monday
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The settlement stemming from a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice
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accusing the pharmacy giant of illegally filling millions of prescriptions for painkillers and other controlled substances
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The DOJ says the payout, including 4% interest annually, is set to be paid over six years under the agreement
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DOJ prosecutors say Walgreens would owe an additional $50 million if the company is sold, transferred, or merged before the fiscal year 2032
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A Walgreens spokesperson responded on the pharmacy's behalf, saying, We strongly disagree with the government's legal theory and admit no liability
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Our pharmacists are dedicated healthcare professionals who care deeply about patient safety
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and continue to play a critical role in providing education and resources
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to help combat opioid misuse and abuse across our country. The lawsuit filed in January accuses Walgreens of neglecting red flags showing prescriptions were unlawful but filled them anyway
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DOJ attorneys accuse Walgreens of violating the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act
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which aims to reimburse companies through federal health care programs like Medicare
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Walgreens and other drug companies have paid out roughly $50 billion to settle lawsuits and probes in recent years
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The lawsuits and investigations accuse Walgreens and others of contributing to the opioid addiction crisis in the U.S
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From 1999 to 2022, the CDC estimates nearly 727,000 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S
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For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey
