Politics
CVS opioid settlement puts Helena Foulkes’ leadership record back in Rhode Island governor’s race
Republican Aaron Guckian and independent Ken Block are pressing gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes to answer questions about CVS’s handling of opioid prescriptions after the company agreed to a $315 million settlement. Foulkes says she helped reduce opioid dispensing during her time at the pharmacy company; CVS denies wrongdoing.
A $315 million settlement between CVS and federal prosecutors has renewed scrutiny of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes’ record as a leader at the Woonsocket-based company, with two of her general-election opponents demanding more answers.
Republican Aaron Guckian held a news conference outside the Rhode Island State House on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and challenged Foulkes to address allegations that CVS improperly filled opioid prescriptions and failed to respond to warning signs.
“She has to stand up here at a press conference and answer the tough questions,” Guckian said. “If she can’t, I don’t believe she should be governor.”
Independent candidate Ken Block, who had previously said the opioid issue had received extensive attention, said the settlement changed how he viewed the matter. He argued that the allegations concerned CVS’s conduct during Foulkes’ leadership and asked what she knew and whether warnings were ignored.
A federal lawsuit filed in Rhode Island in late 2024 did not name Foulkes. It alleged that CVS wrongfully filled thousands of opioid prescriptions during the period she was a company leader and for several years afterward, and that staffing policies put profits ahead of patient safety. The settlement resolves the allegations against CVS; the company said it strongly disagrees with the claims, admitted no wrongdoing and was pleased to put the case behind it.
Foulkes declined an interview Wednesday. Her campaign sent a statement saying that, as president of CVS Pharmacy, she worked to address the opioid crisis, reduced opioid dispensing by nearly 40% and cut off more than 600 doctors it described as “pill mill” prescribers. The campaign also said she led the country’s largest drug take-back program and hoped settlement funds would support families affected by the crisis.
Foulkes has defended her CVS record in previous campaigns. In September, she told reporters that CVS would defend itself and that she believed the company’s record would show it was an industry leader. She acknowledged that mistakes were made during a difficult period, while pointing to the nearly 40% reduction in opioid dispensing.
The issue also featured in the Democratic primary, where Gov. Dan McKee made the federal lawsuit a focus of his campaign against Foulkes. Foulkes defeated McKee by 25%, according to the report. After the primary, she said voters had heard her response and had made their decision.
CVS agreed in 2023 to a separate $5 billion opioid settlement. The latest dispute adds a fresh test for Foulkes as she heads into the November general election, while the allegations against the company remain distinct from any finding of personal wrongdoing by her.