Meijer opens full-service pharmacy inside Blodgett Hospital

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Building upon a national trend of offering additional convenience to patients who need prescriptions filled before leaving the hospital, Meijer expanded its partnership with Corewell Health this week with the opening of a new, full-service retail pharmacy on-site at Blodgett Hospital. This is the retailer's second pharmacy inside a Corewell Health hospital, following the opening of a similar pharmacy inside Butterworth Hospital in 2015.

"Our pharmacies are designed to be a one-stop health and wellness destination, and expanding our partnership with Corewell Health is another way we can ensure we are where patients need us most," said Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes, who previously served as a pharmacist for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "This new pharmacy will increase convenience for patients and employees, as well as for neighbors who live and work in East Grand Rapids."

The 3,100-square-foot pharmacy offers over-the-counter products typically requested by hospital staff, patients and their families, as well as comprehensive services including immunizations. In addition, the pharmacy features:

• Meds to Beds discharge coordination, which ensures that necessary medications are delivered to a patient's bed before they leave the hospital
• Meijer Specialty Pharmacy services, which provide specialty medications as well as additional care for patients living with certain chronic conditions
• Compounding, which ensures that prescriptions are specifically tailored to patients' needs

"This new pharmacy is an integral part of the hospital, and its convenience will enhance the experience for our patients, visitors and employee," said Dr. Alejandro Quiroga, President, Corewell Health in West Michigan. "Meijer continues to be an exceptional community partner, and we appreciate their retail and pharmacy expertise in this newly expanded partnership."

The pharmacy, which is owned and operated by Meijer, was part of a major remodel project at Blodgett, which also included enhancements to the main entrance and patient drop off area. It is located on the hospital's main floor adjacent to the discharge lounge, making it easy for patients being discharged from the hospital to get the prescriptions they may need before heading home.

Prescriptions filled at the pharmacy are eligible for mPerks and can be set up for automatic refill reminders. They can also be refilled at any Meijer pharmacy within any of the retailer's 264 supercenters throughout the Midwest.