Walmart has settled a United government lawsuit accusing the retail giant of contributing to the nationwide opioid epidemic by unlawfully dispensing opioid prescriptions through its pharmacies.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Walmart confirmed the settlement in separate statements on Friday but did not disclose its terms.

In a 2020 complaint, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Walmart of repeatedly violating the federal Controlled Substances Act since 2013.

The department said at the time that the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer could face billions of dollars in civil penalties over the alleged violations.

More than 905,000 people in the United States died from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2025, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency said annual opioid overdose deaths began declining after peaking in 2022.

“The department is pleased to have reached a settlement with Walmart resolving allegations that its pharmacies failed to comply with their obligations under the Controlled Substances Act in dispensing opioids and other controlled substances,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.

Walmart said in a statement: “We are pleased to resolve this matter and will continue supporting the exceptional work our pharmacists do every day to provide outstanding patient care.”

The parties filed a joint stipulation to dismiss the lawsuit on Thursday in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.

Walmart’s shares gained 0.5 per cent in morning trading.

The case ranked among the Justice Department’s most significant lawsuits against a single company over the U.S. opioid epidemic.