Meijer Opens Full-Service Pharmacy Inside Butterworth Hospital

Partnership expected to bring convenience to patients

News provided by

Nov 02, 2015, 01:19 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer opened a full-service retail pharmacy today on-site at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, becoming one of the first major retailers to open a pharmacy within a large hospital system in Michigan.

The partnership builds upon a national growing trend to offer additional convenience to patients who need prescriptions filled before leaving the hospital.

"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 Grand Rapids, Mich.-based 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."

"This new pharmacy will make it more convenient in so many ways for our patients, visitors and employees. Meijer has been an exceptional community partner to Spectrum Health and their retail expertise is beneficial," said Christina Freese-Decker, president, Spectrum Health Hospital Group.

The pharmacy, which is owned and operated by Meijer, was rebuilt after the project was announced in April. It is located across from the Mehney Bistro restaurant on the hospital's main floor between Butterworth Hospital and the Meijer Heart Center. 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® (atorvastatin calcium). 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.

The Meijer pharmacy at Butterworth Hospital is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There are five pharmacists on staff, as well as a specially-trained diabetes care pharmacist who can counsel people with diabetes, discuss medication management, and offer tips and tools to eat and live healthier.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 222 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 electronic offerings. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/meijer and @twitter.com/meijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Spectrum Health: Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children's Hospital; 183 ambulatory and service sites; more than 3,100 physicians and advanced practice providers, including 1,200 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 654,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan's largest employer, with 23,400 employees. The organization provided $283 million in community benefit during its 2015 fiscal year. Spectrum Health is the only health system in Michigan to be named one of the nation's 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics for 2015. This is the fourth time the organization has received this recognition. www.spectrumhealth.org