Optum settles improper opioid prescription accusations for $20M
Optum has agreed to pay a $20 million settlement to resolve allegations it filled opioid prescriptions improperly, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), from April 2013 to April 2015 OptumRX wrongly filled prescriptions for opioids and other addictive drugs, possibly distributing them to patients who did not have a legitimate medical need.
“Pharmacies providing opioids and other controlled substances have a duty under the Controlled Substances Act to ensure that they fill prescriptions only for legitimate medical purposes,” Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement. “The department will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that pharmacies do not contribute to the opioid addiction crisis.”
The DOJ alleged that Optum received warnings about certain opioid prescribing practices and at-risk patients, but filled prescriptions without resolving some red flags. The drugs were distributed by an OptumRX site in Carlsbad, California. That pharmacy, which filled mail-order prescriptions, has since closed.
Optum did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. However, the company reported to the DOJ that it has enhanced its protocols for handling certain prescriptions, including opioids. The new protocols, designed to better control prescription durations and dosages, went into effect in 2017.
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