SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell on Tuesday announced the settlement of a civil law enforcement action against Walgreens Company.
According to Rosell, the company violated state law by charging consumers more than the lowest-posted or advertised price, and for selling infant formula, baby food, and over-the-counter drugs after their “use-by” and expiration dates.
The case was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court. The violations were discovered as a result of inspections by the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services Divisions and the District Attorney’s offices of Santa Clara, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.
Without admitting wrongdoing, Walgreens agreed to pay $2,250,000 in civil penalties and costs.
The judgment also requires Walgreens to institute a compliance program, which includes procedures to ensure the removal of infant formula, baby food and over-the counter drugs prior to their expiration dates.
The program also requires procedures to ensure that consumers are charged accurate prices.
The present Modified Stipulated Final Judgment superseded a similar case from 2013.
In a prepared statement, Rosell commended the agencies involved in the case.
“This action will help safeguard the health and safety of the consumers in our community, most notably children and infants,” he said.
