In brief: Gov’t & Walgreens settle, Resmed taps new exec, Dexcom U returns

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, have agreed to a $300 million settlement with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co., and various subsidiaries to resolve allegations that the national chain pharmacy illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). 

Further, Walgreens is alleged to have then sought payment for many of those invalid prescriptions by Medicare and other federal health care programs in violation of the False Claims Act.  

The government’s complaint, filed on Jan. 16 and amended April 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that from approximately August 2012 through March 1, 2023, Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, knowingly filled millions of unlawful controlled substance prescriptions. These unlawful prescriptions included prescriptions for excessive quantities of opioids and opioid prescriptions filled significantly early. Walgreens pharmacists allegedly filled these prescriptions despite clear red flags indicating a high likelihood that the prescriptions were invalid because they lacked a legitimate medical purpose or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice.  

The complaint further alleges that Walgreens pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly and without taking the time needed to confirm that each prescription was lawful.  

In light of the settlement, the government has moved to dismiss its complaint. Walgreens will also move to dismiss a related declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. 

Resmed taps Schwartz as chief investor relations officer 

SAN DIEGO – Resmed has named Salli Schwartz as chief investor relations officer, where she will lead the company’s global investor relations function and report to Mick Farrell, chairman of the board and CEO. She joins Resmed from Illumina, where she served as the head of investor relations. In that role, she led the company’s investor engagement strategy, representing the company’s response to shareholders’ perspectives on corporate strategy, capital allocation, and financial performance. “Salli is a seasoned financial leader with a proven track record of driving investor relationships supporting business strategy and capital efficiency,” said Farrell. “Her leadership and expertise will be critical as we advance our 2030 strategy to drive shareholder value and empower 500 million people worldwide to achieve their full health potential.” Prior to Illumina, Schwartz served as head of investor relations and treasurer at MSCI, where she managed investor communications as well as a portfolio of more than $2 billion in cash and short-term investments, and more than $4 billion in high-yield debt. “I am excited to join Resmed at such a pivotal moment in its strategy to make better sleep and breathing health more accessible around the world,” said Schwartz. “I look forward to partnering with our leadership team and our shareholders to communicate and advance Resmed’s vision and financial targets.” 

Dexcom U returns for fourth season 

SAN DIEGO – Dexcom is bringing back Dexcom U, a name, image and license program for college athletes with diabetes. This year, the fourth for the program, includes a nationwide open call for passionate and inspiring college athletes to join its roster. Now through May 23, athletes, coaches, friends and family members can nominate candidates through an online submission. The nomination criteria used by the selection committee are focused on seeking college athletes with diabetes who are passionate about sharing their inspirational stories with others to serve as role models for the next generation of youth athletes. “Dexcom U has ignited a powerful movement over the past three years, providing athletes with diabetes a unique platform to excel and inspire,” said Leverne Marsh, executive vice president of marketing at Dexcom. "The expanded fourth season builds on our commitment to empowering people with diabetes to discover what they’re made of, and we remain dedicated to amplifying the extraordinary journeys of those who know diabetes is not a barrier to pushing the boundaries of success.” Those selected, along with the eight returning athletes from last year, will be invited to attend the Dexcom U Signing Day Camp this summer, hosted by Dexcom Warrior and Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. Dexcom U athletes will also receive access to Dexcom CGM, exclusive events and opportunities and a network of other collegiate and pro athletes – including mentors like Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris and Dexcom U alum and Vegas Thrill setter Carly Graham, who support each other both on and off the field. 

Medtronic seeks FDA clearance for pump 

GALWAY, Ireland – Medtronic has submitted 510(k) applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking clearance for an interoperable pump. FDA clearance of this pump would pave the way for system integration with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor based on Abbott's most advanced CGM platform. The submissions included a 510(k) application for its MiniMed 780G pump as an alternate controller enabled (ACE) insulin pump and a separate 510(k) application for its SmartGuard algorithm as an interoperable automated glycemic controller (iAGC). "We understand how meaningful these advancements are, and we're working with urgency to bring enhanced CGM options to our customers," said Que Dallara, EVP & president, Medtronic Diabetes. "This collaboration with Abbott marks an important step forward in providing innovative solutions and more choice for our customers." In 2024, Medtronic and Abbott announced a global partnership to collaborate on a system based on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre technology and Medtronic’s automated insulin delivery and smart insulin pen systems. 

AASM publishes statement recognizing importance of sleepiness 

DARIEN, Ill. — The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new position statement emphasizing the clinical significance of sleepiness and its impact on performance, health, mood, safety, and quality of life. Sleepiness is a critical patient-reported outcome that is associated with an increased risk for adverse health effects and diminished quality of life. The statement urges health care professionals, policymakers and researchers to prioritize the evaluation, management, and treatment of sleepiness to improve public health. “Sleepiness is a serious health concern with wide-reaching consequences,” said Dr. Eric Olson, president of the AASM. “From drowsy driving crashes to workplace errors and long-term health risks, the effects of excessive daytime sleepiness impact individuals and society every day. With one-third of U.S. adults reporting they experience excessive sleepiness, the importance of identifying interventions that recognize, assess, and treat it cannot be understated.” The position statement was published April 14 as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the official publication of the AASM.