Publix to offer 7 popular prescription antibiotics for free

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http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ibiotics_N.htm

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (AP) — Seven popular antibiotics will be available free from Publix supermarkets for people with prescriptions, even if they have a health insurance provider that would pay for them, the company and Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday.

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 include amoxicillin, cephalexin, penicillin VK and erythromycin.

The company joins other retailers that offer discounted drug programs, including Target (TGT) and Wal-Mart Stores (WMT), but Publix Super Markets officials say the company is the first large regional chain to offer certain drugs at no cost.

"Health and wellness is crucial to every Floridian's quality of life and paramount to the vitality of our state," Crist said. "We appreciate great partners like Publix Super Markets working to further provide affordability and accessibility to quality prescription drugs for working families and seniors."

"With health care and prescription costs on the rise, our free prescription drug program will reinforce our commitment to the total health and wellness of our customers and their families," said Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens.

Publix has stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.