In recognition of its free antibiotic and free pre-natal vitamin programs, Meijer  Inc. has been given the Legacy of Leadership award by the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA), the nonprofit membership organization that represents community health centers and other community-based providers in Michigan.

Grand Rapids-based Meijer launched its free "no strings attached" antibiotics program in October 2006 to benefit customers throughout the Midwest. Two years later, 2.7 million prescriptions for leading oral generic antibiotics have been filled free of charge, saving Meijer customers more than $45 million. The program places a special focus on prescriptions most often filled for children.

This past June, Meijer launched a second program to fill, free of charge, doctors' prescriptions for pre-natal vitamins for women who are pregnant or planning to have children. This pre-natal vitamin program is just one more way Meijer is helping families stay healthy, especially during these difficult economic times. Already, more than 50,000 free pre-natal vitamin prescriptions have been given away, saving customers in excess of $700,000.

The honor provides both “recognition and validation” of its free antibiotic and pre-natal vitamin programs, said Mark Murray, president of Meijer. "As we approach the three million free prescription milestone, we are also thrilled to see a more than 1300 percent increase in our prenatal prescription fill rate since we launched the program. Meijer's focus is always on the well being of our customers. These programs truly provide an important benefit to residents of Michigan as well as Meijer customers throughout the Midwest."

Through either the free antibiotic or pre-natal vitamin programs, any Meijer customer, regardless of insurance or co-pay, can take their antibiotic or pre-natal vitamin prescription to any Meijer pharmacy and receive their prescribed antibiotics or pre-natal vitamins free of charge.

Meijer operates 185 supercenters throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and
Kentucky.