GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Inc. has signed a deal to acquire the specialty pharmacy and health services company Aureus Health Services Inc.

The deal will allow the retailer to improve the customer offerings at its 217 supercenters and grocery stores in the Midwest, all of which have pharmacies.

“The ability to provide specialty pharmacy services to our customers supports our objective to provide total patient care,” said Meijer president J.K. Symancyk.

Michael Nameth will continue as chief executive of Pittsburgh-based Aureus when it becomes a business unit of Meijer, and Meijer plans to maintain Aureus’ current patient service centers across the country.

The deal, which is expected to be finalized in the next few months, came one week after Aureus announced that it was partnering with CARE Pharmacies Cooperative Inc. on a specialty pharmacy management services program. Aureus will provide management services to CARE member pharmacies and provide resources to support the growing needs of their specialty patients and providers.