WALGREEN CO. TO PAY $6 MILLION IN PRICE SCANNER AND EXPIRED PRODUCTS CASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: March 26, 2026

TO: MEDIA MEMBERS

FROM: Stephen M. Wagstaffe, District Attorney

Kenneth A. Mifsud, Deputy District Attorney In Charge,

Consumer & Environmental Unit

SUBJECT: WALGREEN CO. TO PAY $6 MILLION IN PRICE SCANNER AND EXPIRED PRODUCTS CASE

San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe, along with eight other California District Attorneys, announced today a $6 million settlement against Illinois-based Walgreen Co., to resolve price scanner and expired products violations throughout the state.

The civil settlement involved allegations that Walgreens violated state law by charging customers more than the lowest posted or advertised price for items. These allegations were based in part upon scanner inspections conducted by local Weights and Measures offices, including the office of San Mateo County Sealer of Weights & Measures Koren J. Widdel.

The lawsuit also resolves allegations that Walgreens failed to comply with laws prohibiting selling or offering to sell over-the-counter drugs after the expiration date has passed. These allegations were based in part on inspections by District Attorney Investigation units, in particular by inspectors from the Yolo County District Attorney's Office. The Santa Clara County Superior Court approved the Modified Stipulated Judgment on March 25, 2026.

"California law provides protections for consumers to ensure that the price they pay at the register is not greater than the advertised price, and to protect from being sold expired products containing drug facts. My office was pleased to work with the District Attorney Offices in this case to ensure these laws were enforced," said District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.

During the time period covered by this settlement, Walgreens operated approximately 580 stores in California and 15 in San Mateo County.

Without admitting wrongdoing, Walgreens agreed to pay $6,000,000 in civil penalties and costs. The judgment also prohibits violating applicable laws and requires Walgreens to institute a compliance program. That program includes procedures to ensure the removal of infant formula, baby food and over-the counter drugs prior to the "use by" or "expiration" dates. The program also requires procedures to ensure that consumers are charged accurate prices.

The present Modified Stipulated Final Judgment "superseded" or replaced a 2018 judgment against Walgreens, by adding new injunctive, compliance and civil penalty and costs provisions to address the new pricing and expired product violations. Walgreens cooperated with prosecutors during the investigation and the resolution of this case. This is the sixth judgment against Walgreens addressing price accuracy and the second addressing sale or offer for sale of expired drug-fact containing products.

The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office works with departments of Weights & Measures to protect consumers from pricing errors and enforce laws prohibiting the sale of certain expired products. Consumers should always check receipts to verify that they are charged the correct price and make sure that the products they purchase are not beyond their expiration dates.

Joining District Attorney Wagstaffe in this lawsuit are the District Attorneys of Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, and Yolo Counties.

Contact: Joel McComb

Deputy District Attorney

Consumer & Environmental Unit

San Mateo County District Attorney's Office

(650) 363-4636