CVS agrees to pay $315 million to settle opioid prescription claims

CVS Pharmacy reached a $315 million settlement with the Justice Department on Tuesday over allegations it improperly filled opioid and other controlled-substance prescriptions and sought reimbursement from federal healthcare programs. The lawsuit, filed in 2024 on behalf of former employee Hillary Estright, alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act and False Claims Act, including filling excessive, early, and "trinity" opioid prescriptions, and prescriptions from "pill mill" providers despite warning signs they were invalid.