CVS Pays $315M to Settle Federal Opioid Suit, Igniting RI Gubernatorial Debate
CVS Health agreed to pay $315 million to resolve federal allegations that it illegally filled opioid prescriptions between 2013 and 2025. The settlement, announced by the Department of Justice, requires CVS to implement new monitoring safeguards and a reporting hotline. The case has intensified scrutiny on Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes, who served as CVS Pharmacy president during the alleged violations. While CVS denies wrongdoing, political opponents argue Foulkes must address the company's profit-driven practices that allegedly prioritized speed over patient safety.