According to USAToday, Publix is going to begin offering seven different “popular” types of antibiotics for free to anyone who has a prescription, even if their insurance would pay for it. From USAToday:

Fourteen-day supplies of the seven drugs, among the most commonly prescribed, will be available at all 684 of the chain’s pharmacies in five states. Publix said it is not limiting the number of prescriptions that customers may fill for free.

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

Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration and a pediatrician, said many of the antibiotics are prescribed for children, and he noted that Florida has 3.6 million uninsured people and many who have some insurance but no coverage for prescription drugs.

“So I hope (Publix stores) are ready,” Agwunobi said, predicting a heavy response.

Midwestern superstore chain Meijer already does this, they begin giving away free antibiotics in October of 2006.

Publix to offer 7 popular prescription antibiotics for free [USAToday]
(Photo:bioclastic)

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