KRDO13 Investigates: Fountain Walgreens accused of dispensing expired medication, company launches internal investigation
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Read the original article: https://krdo.com/news/2026/05/13/walgreens-pharmacy-investigation-fountain-color…
fact_checkFact-Check Results
14 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.
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Single Source
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Verified By Reference
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Insufficient Evidence
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“A southern Colorado woman says she was given expired chemotherapy medication not once - but twice - from the same Walgreens pharmacy in Fountain.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is reported by KRDO13. The provided web search results for this claim only return general definitions of the word 'woman' and do not provide independent corroboration of the specific incident in Fountain, CO.
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NEUTRAL
— A woman is an adult female human. [a][2][3] Before adulthood, a female child or adolescent is referred to as a girl. [4] Typically, women inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent. Sex dif…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman
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NEUTRAL
— 22 hours ago · The meaning of WOMAN is an adult female person. How to use woman in a sentence.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woman
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woman
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NEUTRAL
— WOMAN definition: an adult female person. See examples of woman used in a sentence.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/woman
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/woman
“KRDO13 Investigates also found that the state once cited the same location for mishandling expired medications.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is reported by KRDO13. The provided web search results for this claim are general information about US states and do not provide evidence of a specific citation for the Fountain Walgreens.
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NEUTRAL
— Each state has its own constitution and government. All states and their residents are represented in the federal Congress, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_and_territories…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_and_territories…
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NEUTRAL
— US states list and state capitals list for all the the 50 states are featured in this list. Get to know which capital belongs to which state. Plus, print out a copy to study with.
https://www.50states.com/tools/thelist.htm
https://www.50states.com/tools/thelist.htm
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NEUTRAL
— CA.gov is the official website for the State of California. You can find and access California services, resources, and more.
https://www.ca.gov/
https://www.ca.gov/
“Walgreens says it has launched an internal investigation after KRDO13 Investigates began asking questions.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is reported by KRDO13. The provided web search results only list Walgreens locations in Glendale, AZ, and do not confirm an internal investigation at the Fountain, CO location.
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NEUTRAL
— We find 12 Walgreens locations in Glendale (AZ). All Walgreens locations near you in Glendale (AZ).
https://usalocator.org/walgreens-locations/arizona/glendale
https://usalocator.org/walgreens-locations/arizona/glendale
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NEUTRAL
— Walgreens in Glendale, Arizona: complete list of store locations, hours, holiday hours, phone numbers, and services. Find Walgreens location near you.
https://www.mystore411.com/store/list_city/21/Arizona/Glenda…
https://www.mystore411.com/store/list_city/21/Arizona/Glenda…
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— Walgreens Pharmacy location at 5421 W THUNDERBIRD RD, GLENDALE, AZ 85306 with address, opening hours, phone number, directions, and more with an interactive map and up-to-date information.
https://walgreens.pharmacylocationmaps.com/en/location/24911…
https://walgreens.pharmacylocationmaps.com/en/location/24911…
“Cheyenne Mesa depends on weekly injections of Methotrexate - a chemotherapy drug commonly used in low doses to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Multiple authoritative sources (Wikiwand, medical descriptions) confirm that Methotrexate is a chemotherapy agent used in low doses to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
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NEUTRAL
— It is used to reduce inflammation as well as slow down the body’s immune system to prevent it from damaging healthy tissues. Methotrexate is useful in treating inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s …
https://www.yashodahospitals.com/medicine-faqs/methotrexate/
https://www.yashodahospitals.com/medicine-faqs/methotrexate/
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— Methotrexate, formerly known as amethopterin, is a chemotherapy agent and immune-system suppressant. It is used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and ectopi...
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Methotrexate
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Methotrexate
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NEUTRAL
— When used for inflammatory arthritis, methotrexate is not considered chemotherapy. It is considered a DMARD (Disease modifying anti-rheumatic Drug). In the low doses used in Rheumatoid Arthritis, meth…
https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/treatment-and…
https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/treatment-and…
“Mesa says she uses the medication to treat ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the spine and joints.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and medical sources explicitly define Ankylosing spondylitis as a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the spine and joints.
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— Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis from the disease spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis. The term comes from the Greek ankylos meaning crooked, curved or rounded, spondylos meaning vertebra…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosing_spondylitis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosing_spondylitis
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— Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune system dysfunction, primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to arthritis and stiffness.
https://www.heal-medical.com/en/our-services/ankylosing-spon…
https://www.heal-medical.com/en/our-services/ankylosing-spon…
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— Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is genetically inherited. Treatment incorporates me…
https://www.medicinenet.com/ankylosing_spondylitis/article.h…
https://www.medicinenet.com/ankylosing_spondylitis/article.h…
“one vial inside a prescription she picked up from the Walgreens on Fountain Mesa Road in Fountain had already expired months earlier.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific allegation that a vial was expired is reported by KRDO13. While other search results confirm the existence of the Walgreens at that address, they do not corroborate the claim of expired medication.
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— According to Mesa, she discovered earlier this month that one vial inside a prescription she picked up from the Walgreens on Fountain Mesa Road in Fountain had already expired months earlier.
https://krdo.com/news/2026/05/13/walgreens-pharmacy-investig…
https://krdo.com/news/2026/05/13/walgreens-pharmacy-investig…
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NEUTRAL
— Visit your Walgreens Pharmacy at 7910 FOUNTAIN MESA RD in Fountain, CO. Refill prescriptions and order items ahead for pickup.
https://www.walgreens.com/locator/walgreens-7910+FOUNTAIN+ME…
https://www.walgreens.com/locator/walgreens-7910+FOUNTAIN+ME…
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— Walgreens Pharmacy location at 7910 FOUNTAIN MESA RD, FOUNTAIN, CO 80817 with address, opening hours, phone number, directions, and more with an interactive map and up-to-date information.
https://walgreens.pharmacylocationmaps.com/en/location/24746…
https://walgreens.pharmacylocationmaps.com/en/location/24746…
“One of the bottles was expired of June 30th of 2025... the prescription containing that vial was picked up in September 2025.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific dates of expiration and pickup are reported by KRDO13. The provided web search results are general information about vials and calculators and do not corroborate these specific dates.
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NEUTRAL
— © 2025 TikTok.Drawing up medication from a multi-dose vial with an insulin syringe can be quick and easy! Start by washing your hands and gathering your supplies.
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/drawing-up-medication-from-a…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/drawing-up-medication-from-a…
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— This expiration date calculator helps you determine how long your product is good to use. In the article below, you will find out how to calculate the expiration date and how to use our expiration cal…
https://www.omnicalculator.com/everyday-life/expiration-date
https://www.omnicalculator.com/everyday-life/expiration-date
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NEUTRAL
— Albuterol vials have specific expiration dates. These dates reflect the period during which manufacturers guarantee the drug’s full potency, safety, and quality when stored correctly.
https://biologyinsights.com/do-albuterol-vials-expire-risks-…
https://biologyinsights.com/do-albuterol-vials-expire-risks-…
“found another vial that she says expired in October 2025, despite being dispensed in January 2026.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific dates regarding the second vial are reported by KRDO13. The provided web search results are irrelevant (TikTok, YouTube) and do not corroborate the claim.
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NEUTRAL
— Drawing up medications #medication #syringe #paschool #emergencyroom #pastudent #clinical #injection #medication Drawing Medications: How to Draw from a Vial with a Needle. Learn how to properly draw …
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/drawing-up-medication-from-a…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/drawing-up-medication-from-a…
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NEUTRAL
— Albuterol vials have specific expiration dates. These dates reflect the period during which manufacturers guarantee the drug’s full potency, safety, and quality when stored correctly.
https://biologyinsights.com/do-albuterol-vials-expire-risks-…
https://biologyinsights.com/do-albuterol-vials-expire-risks-…
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that once a drug passes its expiration date, there is no guarantee it will remain safe or effective.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to verify the specific wording or existence of this FDA warning in the context of the provided evidence.
“pharmacy staff initially acknowledged the issue and provided replacement medication along with Walgreens rewards coupons.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to verify that staff provided replacement medication and coupons.
“A 2024 disciplinary order involving Walgreens Pharmacy #07022 at 7910 Fountain Mesa Road found repeated deficiencies during multiple inspections, including assigning expiration dates to prepackaged drugs that exceeded manufacturer expiration dates.”
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“The pharmacy was fined $5,000 plus surcharges as part of that disciplinary action.”
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“the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy told KRDO13 Investigates that none of the prior disciplinary cases involving the pharmacy specifically involved a patient receiving expired medication.”
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“the board also said Colorado pharmacy rules prohibit pharmacies from dispensing medication that is outdated or that will expire before a patient finishes the prescribed course.”
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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.