Meijer Ties Rx Service To In-store Offerings

DAN ALAIMO

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer here is launching a prescription benefit manager program with strong ties to the retailer's Be Well health and wellness program.

The program officially launched last month, but Meijer will start seeing business generated by PBM partner 4D Pharmacy Management Systems, Troy, Mich., after Jan. 1, said Nat Love, vice president, drug store.

While 4D will solicit members from businesses and other groups, Meijer will provide the prescription fulfillment, as well as Be Well services like discounts on Meijer vitamins and organic foods, and rotating weekly discounts on products such as healthy food products and cold medications, Love said. Other offerings include health screenings, immunizations, free Medicare reports, counseling and other information services.

“We look at it as a game changer, and a way to help people to help themselves,” Love told SN. “Like our free antibiotics and free prenatal vitamins, we are always trying to find ways to differentiate ourselves, while bringing value to the customer.”

The Meijer program is similar to one launched by A&P, Montvale, N.J., earlier this fall, also with 4D.

“We are using the program to sell products that are part of health and wellness,” Love said. “If you look at the typical Meijer box, it is different from the average drug store, and that allows us to do some things that leverage our strengths to bring value to the customer.”