In the elements of the high addiction crisis, many painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and methadone are given out in prescription for various medical reasons. Pharmacies, including Walmart, have not been regulating the amount of opioids given out during the epidemic. This has caused lawsuits by state and local governments.

According to the lawsuit, Walmart’s fulfillment centers received thousands of skeptical orders that were not properly report to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Walmart’s fulfillment centers then stopped shipping the controlled substances in 2018.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), opioids are often prescribed following a surgery, injury or for certain health conditions. These medications carry serious risks of addiction and overdose, especially with prolonged use. When filling various prescriptions there is the fear of where that drug is going and whether or not it is being used safely.

If and when the retailer is found guilty, they will be fined $67, 627 per unlawful prescription and $15, 691 for each order not reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)..

Retailers refused to fill opioid prescriptions flagged by pharmacists as “problematic,” and the company said thousands of “questionable” documents prevented pharmacies from filling opioid prescriptions.

On Nov. 15 2022, retailer officials announced that if all the conditions are met, they will be seeking to settle all opioid lawsuits and potential lawsuits from state, local and tribal governments. Walmart announced that they have agreed to a $3.1 billion nationwide opioid settlement framework.

The company’s mission is to help people live a better life, both by giving customers access to prescription drugs and by helping fight the opioid crisis our country faces. Walmart is taking many approaches to combat the opioid crisis.