Walgreens has agreed to pay $6 million to settle allegations it overcharged customers and sold expired products in California, including violations identified in Santa Cruz County, prosecutors said.
District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell announced the settlement this week, resolving a civil case brought by multiple county district attorneys, including Santa Cruz County, along with Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin and Yolo counties.
The case stemmed from inspections that found Walgreens stores charged customers more than the lowest posted or advertised prices, according to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office. The pricing violations were identified through checks by local weights and measures officials, including the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Investigators also alleged the company sold or offered for sale over-the-counter drugs past their expiration dates, based in part on inspections by district attorney investigators in Santa Cruz County.
Walgreens, which operates more than 450 stores statewide, including four in Santa Cruz County, will pay $6 million in civil penalties and costs. Of that amount, $644,500 will go to Santa Cruz County. An additional $22,331 will reimburse the county’s weights and measures department for its role in the investigation.
The settlement updates and replaces a 2018 judgment against the company by adding new requirements aimed at preventing similar violations. Under the agreement, Walgreens must implement a compliance program to ensure infant formula, baby food and over-the-counter drugs are removed from shelves before expiration dates and that pricing at checkout matches advertised amounts.
Prosecutors said Walgreens cooperated during the investigation and resolution of the case. The agreement marks the sixth judgment against the company related to pricing accuracy and the second involving expired drug products.
“I am pleased with the outcome of this consumer action as this corporation was held appropriately accountable for its continued violation of consumer protection laws,” Rosell said in a statement. “Our office remains steadfast in its mission of protecting the safety of our consumers and ensuring they are not subject to continued unfair business practices.”
