Walmart Sued Over Role It Played In Opioid Crisis

[LiberalArkie]

2/22/2020 03:24 pm ET

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America.

The civil complaint being filed Tuesday points to the role Walmart’s pharmacies may have played in the crisis by filling opioid prescriptions and by unlawfully distributing controlled substances to the pharmacies during the height of the opioid crisis. Walmart operates more than 5,000 pharmacies in its stores around the country.

The Justice Department alleges Walmart violated federal law by selling thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances that its pharmacists “knew were invalid,” said Jeffrey Clark, the acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s civil division.

Federal law required Walmart to spot suspicious orders for controlled substances and report those to the Drug Enforcement Administration, but prosecutors charge the company didn’t do that. Walmart couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

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https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doj-sues-walmart-opioid-crisis_n_5fe254b5c5b66809cb2e416b

[wheelman]

1. The war

The war on drugs is an ongoing crime against humanity and legit pain patients. This law suit is more of the same. Broadly brushed, what DOJ/DEA and the medical community at large has said to pain patients is "when one man shits his pants, all men must wear diapers".

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Excellent Comment

And welcome to DU.
My wife is one of those to which you refer.
Chronic back pain caused by arthritic fusion of her lumbar vertebrae.
The barriers to getting medication she used as needed, sometimes having a 30 day supply lasting 11 or 12 weeks, were ridiculous.
So, she suffers. Great plan they've got there.

[LiberalArkie]

3. I switched from hydro to tramadol and valium. No problem getting them.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Thanks

Not sure that's workable for us.
My wife is on meds for BPD. Not sure the Valium could be part of the plan.
Pot helps.
Expensive, but we can afford it.

[LiberalArkie]

5. Essentially if you find drugs not on that schedule that requires monthly visits, then the md

can just call the scripts in.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Agreed

But, BPD is pretty complicated and just experimenting is high risk.

[wheelman]

6. Thanks

from a disabled 66 year old pain guy that played by ALL the rules for 20 years more or less. And with an acceptable result the entire duration. No diversion, one provider (no doctor shopping), no requests for increases, no running out between, no problems ever. Untill around 4 or 5 years ago as yet another practioner cycled/moved on carreer wise a shift in attitude prevailed. It took some digging to figure out why I was gradually being treated more & more like some kind scourge. Ah. The opioid crisis. Huh--I had no idea. Anyhow--cut off at the pockets. Been several years of hell now. No end in sight. I am angry and bitter. At least Oregon recently passed a ballot measure decriminalizing. Doesnt help me but I guess its progress. Maybe.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Sucks!

Pot helps her, especially sativa strains. Expensive alternative, but we have the resources.