SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A United States district court judge has found Walgreens liable for over-dispensing opioids, contributing to the epidemic that is devastating San Francisco.
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Over the next 14 years, the city will see $230 million in settlement money distributed.
"Every day, we will see 15, 20, 30 cases or more that range from acute overdoses to uncomfortable withdrawal that can be so miserable that it will drive further use if not treated," said Dr. Christopher Colwell, who testified in the trial.
Colwell is the chief of emergency medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. He stood on the steps of City Hall Wednesday, joined by City Attorney David Chiu.
"Quoting Judge Breyer's decision, Walgreens San Francisco pharmacies received over 1,200,000 red flag opioid prescriptions, yet they performed due diligence for less than 5% of these prescriptions before dispensing them," Chiu stated.
A red flag prescription is defined by the Pharmacy Times as "warning signs that may indicate a controlled substance prescription is not being obtained for legitimate medical purpose but rather for diversion or abuse."
Most of the multi-million dollar settlement will be distributed throughout San Francisco in the first eight years. Mayor London Breed said the funding will be used in the upcoming budget and will expand programs, including treatment beds and transitional housing.
San Francisco recorded 620 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2022, 72% were attributed to the opioid fentanyl.
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