CVS to Pay $22 Million to Settle Florida Painkiller Case

By Chelsey Dulaney 

CVS Health Corp. disclosed Wednesday that it will pay $22 million to settle a years-old fight with the federal government over alleged misuse of addictive prescription painkillers in Florida.

The settlement resolves all civil matters between CVS and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and state of Florida, the company said in a regulatory filing. CVS said the payment was accrued for in previous fiscal periods.

In 2012, the federal government alleged that CVS and Cardinal Health Inc. were aware of high-volume orders of prescription painkiller oxycodone shipped to two pharmacies in Florida.

In court papers at the time, the DEA charged that CVS and its wholesale supplier, Cardinal, didn't thoroughly investigate the sharply higher sales of the powerful drug.

The closely watched case probed how much responsibility companies bear for a growing drug-abuse problem.

The DEA revoked the controlled-substance registrations of the two Florida CVS pharmacies at the center of the fight.

In a statement, CVS said it has since enhanced its policies for filling controlled-substance prescriptions.

"CVS Health...is dedicated to reducing prescription drug abuse and diversion while ensuring access to appropriate, effective pain medication for patients with a legitimate need," the company said.

Write to Chelsey Dulaney at [e-mail]

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