California Regulators Probe CVS Drug Refills Policy

California regulators are investigating reports that CVS Caremark Corp. refilled prescriptions without patient consent, or insurance approval.

The Los Angeles Times reported customers in California and other states discovered CVS Caremark had renewed doctors’ prescriptions and billed their insurance companies without their permission.

Some customers say they were enrolled in an automatic refill program without their knowledge.

California Board of Pharmacy executive officer Virginia Herold says the agency is investigating the complaints.

The pharmacy board can revoke the licenses of companies who violate state law.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services inspector general earlier began an investigation into allegations that CVS billed Medicare for medicine that patients hadn’t ordered or picked up.

CVS says it requires patient consent before a prescription is filled.