EDMONDS, Wash. - A number of prescriptions filled at the Edmonds TOP Food & Drug pharmacy in the past 90 days were filled with expired drugs, and customers are being asked to bring them back to the store.

The store's parent company, Bellingham-based Haggen Inc., Friday said an internal investigation of a former pharmacist at that store revealed that he had filled some prescriptions with drugs whose expiration dates had passed.

The company promptly notified the Edmonds Police Department and the former employee was arrested, said Haggen spokeswoman Becky Skaggs.

"This has been a devastating event for us as we value the trust relationship we have with our customers," said Jeff Wood, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Haggen Inc.

"While we have been told that the health risk from the expired drugs is minimal, as most drugs maintain most of their potency long after their expiration dates, the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance and these actions are being taken in an abundance of caution."

He said anyone who had a prescription filled at the TOP Food & Drug Edmonds pharmacy between June 1, 2008, and September 2, 2008, can bring back what’s left of their prescription, in the prescription container, and the store will replace the remaining portion of the prescription at no cost.

Wood says not all prescription drugs are involved in the recall.

Those that come in the original manufacturer’s container usually have an expiration date printed on them when they are manufactured. These include but are not limited to birth control, inhalers, topical medications, eye medications and injectable drugs.

Wood also says the Edmonds pharmacy has replaced the pharmacy’s entire drug stock as a precaution. The company also encourages anyone with health concerns to contact their physician.

Wood says they have identified all customers who had a prescription filled at the Edmonds pharmacy in the last 90 days and will be notifying them by mail. Medications remaining from prescriptions filled more than 90 days ago will also be considered for replacement on a case-by-case basis.

"We are also investigating the possible misuse of customers’ credit card numbers by this same individual,” said Wood.

He said investigations by the Edmonds Police Department and Haggen continue. In the meantime, the company wants to make sure people are aware that Haggen is in the process of identifying any credit card numbers that may have been misused.

Wood says that anyone with questions about either of these issues should call 1-866-581-5523.

Haggen, Inc. operates 33 supermarkets in Washington and Oregon under the TOP Food & Drug, Haggen Food & Pharmacy and Larry’s Market names.