Less than a year after acquiring Aureus Health Services, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer Meijer has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare (ACHC) for Specialty Pharmacy at Retail.

Specialty pharmacy involves high-touch, high-cost and high-complexity medications for patients with complex chronic conditions. Aureus Health Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meijer, acquired in 2015 to help care for patients with these unique pharmacy needs.

"ACHC is honored to grant the Meijer retail pharmacy group accreditation for specialty pharmacy distribution at the retail level," ACHC Director, DME, Pharmacy & Sleep, Tim Saffley said. "Their recognition and hard work in understanding the value the pharmacist provides with face-to-face interaction for the management of specialty medications sets the standard in the specialty market. We look forward to working with Meijer to promote better patient education and adherence."

This accreditation reinforces the emphasis that Meijer places on providing its customers with the highest level of service at the pharmacy. Meijer currently operates 228 supercenters across the Midwest, all of which include a pharmacy.

"This accreditation allows Meijer to better care for its customers at the pharmacy by providing a higher standard of care than ever before," said Jason Beauch, Vice President of Pharmacy Merchandising for Meijer. "Through our model, we can utilize our combined resources to treat our patients as individuals and provide them with personalized care, all at their local Meijer."

Meijer pharmacies now offer patient services involving total patient management and coordination of care with the health care system. Patients receive a review of all of their medications, along with an in-depth look into their medical history. This holistic standard of care results in higher medication adherence rates and healthier patients.

The Meijer pharmacy has become a customer destination through expanded clinical services, as well as a free medication program that includes antibiotics, pre-natal vitamins, and medications for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and high cholesterol. In fact, the free prescription program has filled more than 33 million prescriptions, saving customers more than $460 million since its inception in 2006.

Meijer operates 228 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, its 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.