Grocery chain to offer free drugs: Gimmick or Benefit?

[Gan]

CAPE CORAL - Publix supermarket chain said today it will make seven common prescription antibiotics available for free, joining other major retailers in trying to lure customers to their stores with cheap medications.

The oral antibiotics, representing the most commonly filled at the chain's pharmacies, will be available at no cost to anyone with a prescription as often as they need them, Publix CEO Charlie Jenkins Jr. said. Fourteen-day supplies of the seven drugs will be available at all 684 of the chain's pharmacies in five Southern states.

The prescription antibiotics available under the program are amoxicillin, cephalexin, penicillin VK, erythromycin, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and ciprofoxacin

more...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-0806publix,0,1726442.story
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Thoughts? Opinions? Discuss.

14 day supply is whats being given out. Is this the common dosing period for these antibiotics under average circumstances?

I cant see how anything free can be a bad thing, but if and only if its not a hook that leads to a higher priced continuation.

[Khariz]

I dig. I can't see a slippery slope of evil on this one. Just like wal-mart and the cheap ass drugs. Privitization of drug cost burden sharing beats the balls off of socializing medicine through the government.

[Sean of the Thread]

I think it promotes promiscuity amongst our nations young Catholics. I smell a Pope pwning inbound.

Instead of paying $2.65 to heal their burning pee holes it's now a loss leader.

[DeV]

A slew of grocery chains in the surburban Chicago area introduced this offer awhile ago.

It's definitely beneficial. Not everyone can afford the cost of antiboitic medication. Though I do have a problem with parents who give their kids antibiotics for every minor thing thus helping further the growth of antibiotic-resistant germs in their bodies. Administer antibiotics responsibly.

[Sean of the Thread]

MOST antibiotics are pretty damned cheap... real cheap. Looking at the list it doesn't appear they're giving away the expensive shit that makes you cringe when the doc hands you the scrip.

[Gan]

I think it promotes promiscuity amongst our nations young Catholics. I smell a Pope pwning inbound.

Instead of paying $2.65 to heal their burning pee holes it's now a loss leader.

ROFL you may be onto a huge conspiracy, but on who's side?!

First - free antibiotics for the promiscuious youth.

Second - antibiotics are known to interfere with most contraceptive meds (not counting Trojans).

Might have to break out the HAT for this one.

:thinking:

[DeV]

MOST antibiotics are pretty damned cheap... real cheap. Looking at the list it doesn't appear they're giving away the expensive shit that makes you cringe when the doc hands you the scrip.I wouldn't say that most are cheap, I would say that it depends on the brand and dosage prescribed. Period. Most people fill their prescription through their insurance company so a copay of $10.00 is cheap by all means.

For instance, Cirpofaxin is not a cheap antibiotic and it's included in the list.

[Nieninque]

Most antibiotics are on a 5 or 7 day script, arent they?

The only concern I would have is the one Dev has said about building up resistances due to excessive reliance on antibiotics.

[CrystalTears]

A week to ten days, usually.

[Sean of the Thread]

The only concern I would have is the one Dev has said about building up resistances due to excessive reliance on antibiotics.

They still need a prescription. I think the only thing that is going to change really is that some people that are prescribed them are going to save $4 to $20 bucks. ( with the exception of ciprofoxacin as dev pointed out)

[DeV]

They still need a prescription.Which is very easy to attain from a family doctor or a friend who's a doctor, which is why I brought up that point. The need for a referral does make a difference though, no matter how small.

[Apotheosis]

In response to the thread question:

This is obviously a marketing ploy, although I think it's an honorable thing for them to do.

[Sean of the Thread]

Which is very easy to attain from a family doctor or a friend who's a doctor, which is why I brought up that point. The need for a referral does make a difference though, no matter how small.

I was just saying that it's not like they're handing them out with the free cookies in the bakery.

[CrystalTears]

Depends what kind of cookies they are.

[Gan]

I was just saying that it's not like they're handing them out with the free cookies in the bakery.

Funny you should mention that. I was just in a Randall's grocery store at lunch and they were handing out free cookies in the bakery as testers to buy their latest batch of goodies. (Peanut butter with raisin and choc. chip). Damn tasty. :)

[CrystalTears]

Bet they got a yeast infection.

[Makkah]

This can only lead to further overprescribing of antibiotics and bacterial resistance. Yay.

7-14 day antibiotic regimen is the norm.