Walgreens

The pharmacy chain's CEO says “changes are imminent” for about 25% - or 2,100 - of its underperforming stores. The company currently runs more than 8,600 in the United States.

Drug and staffing shortages remain, and stores are dealing with a new vaccine and insurance coverage for COVID shots. Some have addressed challenges, but customers can expert slower service and lines.

Walgreens will limit online orders of children's fever and pain medicine to six items "to help support availability and avoid excess purchases." At CVS stores, purchases will be limited to two.

CVS would pay about $5 billion and Walgreens more than $5.5 billion, though neither company has admitted wrongdoing. States have until the end of the year to accept the terms of the settlement.

It could amount to the last round of huge settlements after years of litigation over the industry's role in an overdose crisis linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the past two decades.

The White House announced the initiative this week as part of President Joe Biden’s push to increase COVID vaccinations and treatments to slow a possible fall and winter surge.

Counselors will be at the stores to answer questions about HIV prevention and treatment options, including PrEP, a medication that offers another effective means to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

About 18 million children under 5 nationwide are eligible for the shots.

Walgreens was the 12th and final defendant in the state's legal battle against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmaceutical companies it holds responsible for the epidemic.

The state says Walgreens ignored red flags and filled millions of suspicious opioid prescriptions. Walgreens says drugmakers misled pharmacies about the risks.

The state contends that Walgreens has been an integral part of the opioid epidemic. Opening statements are set for early next week. The pharmacy chain says it will not settle.

The settlements left Walgreens as the sole defendant in a lawsuit that targeted businesses involved in all aspects of the opioid industry. A Pasco County judge is scheduled to begin jury selection next week.