Walmart settled the U.S. government's long-running opioid lawsuit over its pharmacies

Walmart has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Justice Department, according to reports. The discount retailer is facing allegations that it unlawfully dispensed opioids from its pharmacies across the country. In a statement to CBS News, a Walmart spokesperson expressed satisfaction with resolving the matter and reaffirmed the company's commitment to supporting its pharmacists in delivering excellent patient care.

The Justice Department confirmed the settlement in a separate statement, emphasizing their continued dedication to holding accountable those who contributed to the opioid crisis through unlawful practices. They stated that they will continue to target companies and individuals whose actions put American communities at risk.

The settlement details have not been disclosed by either Walmart or the Justice Department. However, the government had accused Walmart of violating the Controlled Substances Act by filling thousands of invalid prescriptions and failing to report suspicious drug orders, all of which they claim exacerbated the opioid epidemic that claimed over 800,000 lives between 1999 and 2023.

The lawsuit followed a multiyear investigation by the Justice Department, during which they alleged that Walmart's actions resulted in severe consequences for the opioid crisis. If found liable, Walmart would have been required to pay $67,627 for each unlawful prescription filled and $15,691 for each suspicious order not reported. Walmart operates nearly 4,600 pharmacies nationwide, where it dispenses a wide range of medications, including generic drugs, insulin, GLP-1 medications, and other drugs.