Meijer Collects 4 Tons of Medication From Drug Take-Back Kiosks

Meijer revealed that it has disposed of more than four tons of unwanted medication in the first two months of its Consumer Drug Take-Back program, which is available at specialized kiosks across all of its 241 Midwest supercenters

The retailer hopes to increase this hefty amount even more as National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day approaches on April 27. While retailers such as The Kroger Co. has also been hosting drug take-back events for Drug Take-Back Day, Meijer is one of the first grocers to initiate this type of all-access program.

Jason Beauch, VP of Meijer Pharmacy, said this response to the installation of kiosks in its pharmacies is a "strong indication that our customers appreciate having a safe and easy way to properly dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications," adding that anyone who lives near a Meijer store in the Midwest now has access to the new service. 

With the new kiosks, Meijer customers can come in during pharmacy hours to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, including opioids, and can ask for help if needed or just drop off and go with no questions asked. Items excluded from the program include "needles or other sharps, asthma inhalers, mercury thermometers, medications that contain iodine and illicit drugs, including marijuana, and any prescription medications obtained illegally."

Medications are disposed of by Meijer pharmacists who follow a set procedure to properly document and transport the items, and the program complies with rules and safety guidelines established by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and HIPAA privacy laws.