Meijer, Spectrum Partner on OTC Line

Superstore retailer Meijer is partnering with west Michigan health care system Spectrum Health to launch a new brand of over-the-counter medications that will be available at Meijer stores in the region.

"Spectrum Health is an outstanding health care provider in West Michigan, and this product launch provides yet another option for us as we strive to provide healthy living solutions for our customers," Jason Beauch, Meijer's VP of pharmacy merchandising, told MLife.com.

The OTC line will be sold in 23 Meijer stores throughout a 13-county west Michigan region, from Holland to Ludington. Meijer and Spectrum Health are both based in Grand Rapids.The branded line will offer 22 common OTC products, from allergy and pain relievers to vitamins.

A nonprofit health care system, Spectrum is the first such organization to brand medicine in the country, according to Roger Jansen, Spectrum's chief strategy officer, who noted that Meijer was able to leverage its supplier relationships to make the products possible. Spectrum approached Meijer with the idea, MLife.com reported.

"This collaboration enables Spectrum Health to meet consumers where they are on their health-and-wellness journey," Jansen told MLife.com. "Offering quality products in concert with Meijer enables us to help individuals stay healthy and well in their daily lives."

Meijer and Spectrum will split the profits from the sale of the products.

Jensen told MLife.com that the the goal isn't necessarily to generate revenue, but to extend Spectrum's relationship with its patients.