BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The state of Vermont has reached a $275,000 settlement with Walgreens over numerous complaints of unsafe conditions at the chain’s pharmacies across the state.
The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday announced that the settlement stems from charges filed in June 2022. Officials say investigators from the state’s Office of Professional Regulation documented untenable working conditions for pharmacists, medication and vaccination errors, controlled substance storage violations, and unexpected store closures.
“Vermonters rely on pharmacies as part of our health care, from accessing vaccines to filling critical medication prescriptions,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “I am proud of the work our OPR investigators and attorneys have done to hold Walgreens accountable and to ensure safe conditions for patients and pharmacy staff.
Officials say the goal of the action was not “necessarily punitive, but remedial,” and that the settlement codifies measures taken by Walgreens Corporation in response to the 18-month investigation.