CVS to pay $658,000 to settle pharmacy misconduct charges

A California judge recently ordered CVS Pharmacy to pay three counties more than $658,000 to settle charges that pharmacists did not properly consult patients filling prescriptions.

The lawsuit was filed by Alameda, Riverside, and San Diego counties. It alleged that some CVS pharmacies were violating state laws that require pharmacists to discuss medications with patients who receive prescriptions for the first time or who refill orders with adjusted dosages.

Undercover operations were conducted by the district attorney's offices in the three counties and the California Board of Pharmacy. According to the investigators, in some instances discussions about medications were handled by store employees who were not licensed pharmacists, and in others no consultations were offered.

Garfield Beach CVS and Longs Drug Stores were the pharmacies were the violations were alleged to have occurred. Jointly, they operate 850 CVS-branded pharmacies across the state.   

Under the terms of the settlement, CVS was ordered to comply with the state's standards and must implement an internal compliance program. CVS did not admit any liability.