Feds sue Walmart over role in opioid crisis, allege illegal drug dispensing

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America.

That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person said the civil complaint points to the role Walmart’s pharmacies may have played in the crisis by filling opioid prescriptions and by unlawfully distributing controlled substances to the pharmacies during the height of the opioid crisis.

Walmart operates more than 5,000 pharmacies in its stores around the country.

The Justice Department’s action comes nearly two months after Walmart filed its own preemptive suit against the federal government.