CVS to pay $315M to settle opioid prescribing allegations

CVS Pharmacy will pay the U.S. government $315 million to settle Justice Department allegations that it dispensed medically unnecessary opioid prescriptions and sought Medicare reimbursement for them, without admitting wrongdoing. The deal resolves a 2024 lawsuit and a whistleblower complaint by former employee Hilary Estright. CVS must set up a reporting hotline and monitor pharmacy dispensing patterns; it has previously paid $5 billion to settle opioid prescribing lawsuits.