Meijer Gives Away 30 Million Free Prescriptions Since 2006

Retailer's program grows year over year, saving customers more than $422 million

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Jan 06, 2016, 10:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer pharmacies marked a major milestone late last month when the retailer's free prescription program hit 30 million prescriptions dispensed – 6 million alone in 2015 – since October 2006 when the program launched. The program has saved customers more than $422 million, said Nat Love, vice president of pharmacy for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

"Meijer is a family-owned company committed to meeting the needs of other families," Love said. "We do this by providing positive solutions to everyday problems, which includes access to necessary medications. We began our free prescription program with that in mind, and are pleased that so many families across the Midwest continue to find it valuable."

The retailer's free prescription program helps ensure the health of families and individuals by enabling Meijer customers, regardless of insurance or co-pay, to have their prescriptions filled. The program began by covering leading oral generic antibiotics, with a special focus on the prescription most often filled for children. The program expanded over the years by offering free prenatal vitamins in May 2008; metformin, the most commonly-prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes, in 2010; and atorvastatin calcium, the generic substitute for Lipitor®*, the cholesterol-lowering medication, in 2012, Love said.

The most popular free prescription filled at Meijer in 2015 was atorvastatin calcium with 3 million this year, saving customers $37.7 million, followed by:

Metformin with 1.4 million prescriptions and a $10.6 million cost-savings to customers;
Antibiotics with 1.3 million prescriptions and a $10 million cost-savings; and
Prenatal vitamins with 540,000 prescriptions and an $11 million cost-savings.

*Lipitor® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 223 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.