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Sick Of Drug Prices? Get Free Antibiotics
Seven Oral Prescriptions Given For Free
POSTED: 10:54 am EDT August 7,
2007
The Publix grocery chain has decided to start giving away seven commonly prescribed antibiotics for free.
The oral antibiotics will be available at no cost to any customers with a prescription as often as they need it, regardless of insurance.Amoxicillin, Cephalexinm, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP), Ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR), Penicillin VK, Ampicillin and Erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab) are covered under the program.The company said those medications account for almost 50 percent of the generic pediatric prescriptions it fills.Publix will offer 14-day supplies of them at all of the company's pharmacies. The supermarket chain operates 684 pharmacies in five states.Publix CEO Charlie Jenkins Jr. said he hopes the decision to offer the free prescriptions will build the company's pharmacy business and help people, too.Florida Gov. Charlie Crist appeared at a Publix store in Cape Coral to praise Publix for what he called its generosity and great corporate ethic.Other retailers that offer discounted drug programs include Kmart and Wal-Mart. But Publix said it's the first large regional chain to offer certain drugs at no cost.
| Generics: Just As Good For Less? |
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