7 drugs free at Publix

Pharmacies at four Publix Super Markets in the Augusta area began offering seven popular antibiotics at no charge this week.

The action, which began Monday, followed the Florida-based supermarket chain's announcement that all 684 of its locations will fill prescriptions of seven kinds of antibiotics for free, whether or not a patient's health service provider will cover it.

Kevin Kaiser, a pharmacist at the Washington Road store, said customers don't know about the deal when they come in, but they like it when they are handed the free antibiotics.

"A couple of people have been pleasantly surprised," Mr. Kaiser said Tuesday.

Publix also is not limiting the number of prescriptions that customers may fill for free.

The offer covers amoxicillin, cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, penicillin VK, ampicillin and erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab).

A third of all generic antibiotic prescriptions fall into one of the seven classes of antibiotics covered by this program, said Shannon Patten, manager of media and community relations for Publix.

In addition, the seven antibiotics account for almost 50 percent of the generic, pediatric prescriptions filled at Publix stores.

The retail price for the generic antibiotics that Publix is offering ranges from $10 to $60.

The new program will continue indefinitely and covers prescriptions for up to a two-week supply of the drugs, Shannon Patten said.

"We don't have an end date for the program," Ms. Patten said. "It will run as long as customers feel our program is beneficial to them."

Late last year other retailers, such as Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart, began offering certain generic medicines for $4 for monthlong prescriptions. Publix is the first large regional chain to provide certain prescription drugs for free.

The supermarket chain introduced the antibiotic program to build on its pharmacy base, Ms. Patten said.

Staff Writer Tom Corwin contributed to this report.