Edmonds pharmacy recalls prescriptions from last 90 days

An Edmonds pharmacy is recalling prescriptions filled in the last 90 days because some may contain expired drugs.

Edmonds police are investigating a former pharmacist at the TOP Food & Drug pharmacy on suspicion of filling prescriptions with expired drugs, and the possible misuse of customers' credit-card numbers, according to a news release from the pharmacy.

Haggen, the Bellingham-based company that owns the Edmonds pharmacy, is working to identify those credit-card numbers and will notify cardholders directly, said Jeff Wood, executive vice president.

The health risk from using expired drugs is minimal because most drugs maintain their potency long after they expire, Wood said. However, the company is asking people to return the remaining portions of their prescriptions filled between June 1 and Sept. 2 for free replacement as a safety precaution, he said.

Drugs that come in the original manufacturers' containers, such as birth control, inhalers, topical medications, eye medications and injectable drugs, usually have the expiration date printed on them and are not involved in the recall, Wood said.

The pharmacy has replaced its entire drug stock and notified potentially affected customers by mail. Drugs from prescriptions filled before June 1 also will be considered for replacement. People with health concerns are encouraged to contact their physicians. Anyone with questions about the recall or the possible credit-card misuse can call 866-581-5523.

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com