All opioid epidemic articles
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News BriefWalgreens ducked compliance, filled fake opioid prescriptions, DOJ suit alleges
Walgreens skimped on compliance and filled millions of prescriptions for narcotics that weren’t medically necessary, the Department of Justice alleged in a complaint against the company, first brought by four whistleblowers.
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News BriefRite Aid reaches $410M settlement with DOJ in opioid false claims case
Rite Aid agreed to pay $7.5 million and allow the Department of Justice to access nearly $402 million from the company’s forthcoming bankruptcy case to settle allegations it helped fuel the nation’s opioid epidemic.
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News BriefDOJ intervenes in suit alleging Rite Aid helped fuel opioid crisis
The Department of Justice announced its intervention in a lawsuit alleging retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid filled hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for medically unnecessary oxycodone and other opioids in violation of multiple federal laws.
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ArticleCompliance ramifications of proposed $26B opioid deal for pharma industry
Three major drug distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson reached a proposed $26 billion multistate agreement for their alleged roles in fueling the nationwide opioid epidemic. The settlement imparts compliance lessons on the pharmaceutical industry at large.
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ArticleMcKinsey to pay $573M for role in opioid epidemic
McKinsey & Company reached a $573 million settlement with 49 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia related to consulting services it provided to pharmaceutical companies that directly contributed to the opioid epidemic.
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Article
Compliance called out in Walmart opioid lawsuit
The Department of Justice alleged many failures by Walmart’s compliance program in its 160-page lawsuit accusing the retailer of playing an active role in fueling the opioid epidemic.
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ArticlePurdue Pharma case more than an $8B fine
Compliance officers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries should look beyond the $8 billion fine Purdue Pharma received from the DOJ and at the bigger enforcement trend highlighting the need for better oversight in the field.
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Article
Chief compliance officer liability and the opioid epidemic
In a period of three months, two chief compliance officers have been charged for their individual roles in the opioid epidemic—a clear indication the Department of Justice continues to expand the scope of prosecutions to those who fail in their compliance responsibilities.
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ArticleReckitt Benckiser’s record $1.4B opioid settlement a warning for drug companies
Reckitt Benckiser Group will pay $1.4 billion to resolve a long-running federal investigation concerning the sales and marketing of the opioid addiction treatment drug Suboxone.
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Blog
DoJ creates Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force
The Department of Justice has established a Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force to deploy and coordinate criminal and civil law enforcement tools to tackle the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on opioid manufacturers and distributors.
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Blog
DoJ to file ‘Statement of Interest’ in cases against opioid makers, distributors
The Department of Justice this week announced it will be filing a Statement of Interest in a multi-district action regarding hundreds of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
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Article
Enforcement against opioid drug makers and distributors escalates
Several actions taken by the Department of Justice in recent weeks make it clear that prosecutors have their sights set squarely on pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid epidemic.