CVS settles improper billing claims with Ohio Medicaid

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann announced on Tuesday that the retail pharmacy giant CVS has agreed to pay $1.68 million to Ohio's Medicaid Program to settle allegations of improper billing. (Source: "CVS reaches settlement in Medicaid case," Crain's Cleveland Business, March 18, 2008.) "The settlement resolves claims that CVS violated state and federal statutes and regulations by switching dosage forms of ranitidine, an antacid medication commonly prescribed for Medicaid patients." The switch resulted in Medicaid paying "substantially more" for the drug than they should have. The Ohio payment is part of a larger $37 million settlement with the Federal government and 23 states and is the first time a retail pharmacy company has made such a settlement. (Source:  "CVS Caremark to settle Medicaid fraud claims for $37 million" Associated Press, March 18, 2008.)