The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against retail giant Walmart on Tuesday over its alleged role in fueling the opioid crisis in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to the lawsuit, which was expected for months, Walmart's pharmacists are accused of filling opioid prescriptions that were deemed suspicious, in an effort to boost profits and under pressure from the company.
Walmart sued the federal government pre-emptively in October, asking for clarification on the legal responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacies in filling opioid prescriptions. Shares of Walmart were down 1.65% to $143.56 shortly following the news.
