Transferring the preexisting patient pharmacy records in this format precluded Eckerd from immediately and quickly offering pharmacy services that were competitively equivalent to the pharmacy services being offered by the pharmacies that CVS retained. In addition to paying a civil penalty for violating the FTC's order, CVS previously paid a fine to the Commonwealth of Virginia for violating Virginia's Board of Pharmacy regulations about the proper transfer of prescription records. The FTC's complaint and a stipulated settlement were filed on March 26 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Commission vote to file the complaint and accept the settlement was 4-0, with Commissioner Mary L. Azcuenaga not participating. This consent judgment is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation.
Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge.