Meijer Opens Pharmacy Inside Hospital

Midwestern superstore retailer Meijer has opened a full-service retail pharmacy on site at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in its hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., becoming one of the first major retailers to open a pharmacy within a large hospital system in the state.

"Our pharmacies provide genuine care to our customers at times when they need it most," said Meijer President Rick Keyes, a former pharmacist for the retailer. "We believe our new pharmacy on the Spectrum Health campus will increase convenience for their patients and employees, as well as for those individuals who live and work downtown."

The pharmacy, which is owned and operated by Meijer, was rebuilt after the project was announced in April. Located on the hospital's main floor, it features comprehensive services and over-the-counter products typically requested by hospital staff, patients and their families.

The pharmacy will also participate in the Meijer free prescription program that began in October 2006 with free antibiotics, and has since incorporated prenatal vitamins, Metformin and generic substitute for Lipitor. To date, nearly 29 million free prescriptions have been filled, saving customers more than $410 million.

Additionally, prescriptions filled at the pharmacy are eligible for the Meijer Pharmacy Rewards program offered through mPerks, and can be set up to automatically refill when necessary at another Meijer pharmacy. Each of the retailer's 222 supercenters throughout the Midwest features a pharmacy.

Meijer, which was named Progressive Grocer's 2015 Retailer of the Year, operates stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.