Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Edmonds pharmacy recalls drugs that may be expired

By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer

 Customers who bought prescriptions at Top Food & Drug in Edmonds between June 1 and Sept. 2 are being advised to return them to the store because of concerns that they may have been sold expired medications.

The store is at 21900 Highway 99. About 3,000 customers had prescriptions filled at the store's pharmacy during the 90-day period in question, said Becky Skaggs, a spokeswoman for Haggen Inc., which owns Top Foods.

The company issued a statement Friday outlining the problems. It followed a company investigation that began about three months ago with problems over store refunds and theft of cash, she said.

Then, a few days ago, the company learned that a former pharmacist filled some prescriptions with medications whose expiration dates had passed.

The pharmacy's entire stock was replaced earlier this week, she said.

The Edmonds Police Department also is investing whether unauthorized charges may have been made to customer credit cards. The pharmacist has been arrested. It's not known how many, if any, customers were affected, she said.

Most medications keep their potency for some time after their expiration date, she said, "but we wanted to be on the cautious side of consumer safety and go ahead and replace those for anyone who has any concern," she said.

Anyone returning prescriptions filled between June 1 and Sept. 2 will have their remaining medications replaced free.

Customers also will be notified by mail about the potential they were sold expired medications, she said, but the company made a public announcement Friday to get the word out to customers as soon as possible.

"We want our consumers to have confidence in us," Skaggs said. "We had an individual do something that destroyed some of the trust. We certainly apologize for any inconvenience this has caused consumers."

People who made credit card purchases at the pharmacy during the last 90 days should check their bills for any unauthorized purchases, she said.



Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

If you have questions

For more information, Top Food & Drug customers may call 866-581-5523.

The hotline will be staffed daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers may also call the store pharmacy at 425-672-1520.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA