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Walgreens has agreed to pay $300 million to resolve allegations that it improperly filled millions of prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances.

The US Department of Justice said the pharmacy giant violated federal laws by ignoring warning signs and failing to stop the distribution of dangerous drugs.

The complaint, first filed in January, accused Walgreens of filling suspicious prescriptions for over ten years.

These included large quantities of opioids and dangerous drug combinations known as the "trinity" — opioids, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants.

The government says these actions allowed a massive number of pills to be misused or sold illegally.

"These practices allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores," said Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, in a statement earlier this year, CBS News said.

Walgreens has more than 8,000 pharmacies in the US The Justice Department said the company not only filled illegal prescriptions but then billed Medicare and other federal programs for the drugs — violating both the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act.

Walgreens Faces New Legal Fallout Over Opioid Prescriptions

As part of the $300 million settlement, Walgreens will make payments over a period of six years, with an additional 4% interest applied.

According to USA Today, the settlement also includes a provision that would require Walgreens to pay an additional $50 million to the government if the company undergoes a sale or merger before 2032.

After reaching the agreement, the US government dropped its lawsuit, and Walgreens also agreed to drop its related case in Texas.

Despite the settlement, the company has denied any wrongdoing. A Walgreens spokesperson emphasized that the company disagrees with the government's legal position and stressed that no liability has been admitted.

The spokesperson also highlighted the commitment of Walgreens pharmacists to patient safety and their ongoing efforts to help address the opioid crisis.

This recent settlement is not the first time Walgreens has faced legal challenges related to its role in the opioid crisis.

In 2022, the company agreed to pay up to $5.52 billion over a 15-year period to resolve thousands of lawsuits brought by state and local governments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 700,000 people in the US have died from opioid overdoses since 1999.

The government hopes that holding pharmacies accountable will help prevent further loss and bring some relief to affected communities.