CVS Pharmacy, Controlled Substances Act Violations, Alabama 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - CVS Pharmacy, Inc. has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty to resolve violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations at CVS Pharmacy locations throughout the Northern District of Alabama.

According to a recent agreement, CVS paid a civil penalty of $1 million to the United States, the largest civil fine paid in Alabama for a DEA registrant. The penalty covers all recordkeeping violations discovered in the Northern District of Alabama prior to July 29, the effective date of the settlement agreement.

Investigation by the DEA found violations of the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations relating to recordkeeping by CVS. Each CVS Pharmacy retail store located in the Northern District of Alabama is registered separately with the DEA and is assigned a unique DEA registration number that authorizes it to dispense controlled substances pursuant to the provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.

The misuse of prescription painkillers is a public health crisis in the state of Alabama, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. DEA registrants have a responsibility to handle controlled substances in compliance with the Controlled Substances Act. DEA has an obligation to improve public health and safety, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.

The Justice Department will continue actively monitoring compliance with the Controlled Substances Act by CVS and other DEA registrants throughout the Northern District of Alabama.

CVS Pharmacy, Inc. is a global health care company that operates a chain of retail pharmacies across the United States.

The case was investigated and handled by the DEA and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Saxon. Our office is committed to ensuring total compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and we will vigorously enforce violations wherever we find them, said Saxon. All DEA registrants should remember that DEA licensure is a privilege; it is not a right. Where that privilege is abused, the Justice Department will take all necessary action to ensure that it is revoked.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/cvs-pharmacy-pays-1-million-penalty-settlement-doj-violations-controlled-substances-act