"So much of what we do is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle for our shoppers “ whether it's helping them to live better or to feel better," said Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman and C.E.O. of Meijer.  "Our Healthy Living and Wellness programs include everything from diabetes screenings and in-store food demos to prescription drug programs, immunizations and meal planning.  We were pleased when we saw Publix, a company we admire, make this move.  We quickly looked at it and decided to do the same here in our five-state region.  This is one more way Meijer can help our customers build healthier lifestyles while saving them money."

Diabetes is a disease that has no cure. Currently, more than 80 million American children and adults have some form of diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three children born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The numbers are even worse for minorities.

Metformin Immediate Release is now believed to be the most widely prescribed anti-diabetic drug in the world. In 2008, more than 80 million prescriptions for Metformin were filled in the United States alone. Meijer's addition of Metformin Immediate Release to its free medication program comes just weeks after Florida-based grocer Publix led the industry by announcing it would provide free Metformin prescriptions in its pharmacy.

SOURCE Meijer