CVS Pharmacy will pay nearly $14 million to settle a civil action alleging the chain committed numerous hazardous waste violations, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced today.
The violations occurred over a seven-year period at numerous CVS stores, pharmacies and distribution stores statewide, including at Long’s Drug Stores that CVS acquired and converted to its brand. CVS currently operates 69 stores in San Diego County.
“Safe handling of dangerous waste protects our environment in San Diego and is vital to the health of all Californians,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. “Our environmental protection team did an outstanding job prosecuting this case and collaborating with other agencies to arrive at today’s multi-million dollar judgment.”
The action alleged CVS violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of sharps waste, pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste, photo waste containing silver, and hazardous waste generated from spills and customer returns of hazardous products.
“Businesses are responsible for properly disposing of their hazardous waste so as to protect our communities,” said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. “This action is a good example of law enforcement working together to hold a violator accountable and deter future violations.”
Under the final judgment signed by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Barbara Lane, CVS must pay $13.75 million in civil penalties, costs and supplemental environmental projects furthering consumer protection and environmental enforcement in California. The retailer will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future alleged violations of law.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office teamed up with the other offices as part of a joint investigation and prosecution to address statewide violations of law after Ventura County inspectors found evidence of improper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste products at local CVS stores. As a result of the investigation and prosecution, regulated waste produced by CVS stores in California must now be properly stored, handled, transported and disposed of at proper facilities with appropriate records kept documenting compliance with lawful procedures.
Under the settlement, CVS will pay $462,875 in civil penalties and cost recovery to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and $1,044,750 in civil penalties and cost recovery to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
