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.Midwestern superstore chain Meijer already does this, they begin giving away free antibiotics in October of 2006.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.
Publix to offer 7 popular prescription antibiotics for free [USAToday]
(Photo:bioclastic)
@orielbean: You can't cure people with Superbugs. People who don't properly take the full course as prescribed of an antibiotic up the chance of creating Superbugs. People who take antibiotics for a virus make it worse.
]]>Yet on the other hand, given i personally don't have any kind of drug coverage.I like seeing these "projects" come out. Because hopfuly it will lead to more broad versions in the future that cover things that are actually used often.Though i could see how this is a pain for small phramacys, theres so few of them left any more honestly, every things part of some other store now were they can buy in major bulk due to capital and squeeze out little stores. and depending how you look at it moves like this are not so much altrustic to help the un/underinsrued, as they are moves to ensure the market in there favor. its a loss leader for the stores like any other sale. get them in and get there money. while undercutting any competition.
]]>When Walmart sells stuff below cost everyone complains about how they are destroying America, but when its not Walmart then everything is suddenly great!
]]>You still are supposed to treat the sick person, not let them run around and get more people sick. This is actually helpful to the people who can't afford co-pays and instead get more people sick. You whine about the 1 in 6 million chance of the mutation, but if one sicko spreads to 6 other people, now you've upped the odds exponentially.
]]>You shouldn't be seeking a prescription for a "cold", anyway. A cold is a virus that needs to work itself out of your system. My dr is very careful about prescribing antibiotics, and will only prescribe them when necessary. This free prescription program is fantastic in keeping down the cost of benefits for many companys, especially those that are self-funded.
]]>And then if you don't follow the instructions, you can start getting antibiotic resistant strains in you and that's when you're really going to need the big gun medicine that won't be so free.
It's being penny wise and pound foolish.
]]>Given the amount of MRSA that's walking around in people's noses, and how antibiotic-happy most people are (antibiotics in toys, in SOAP?), I think we need to embark on way more consumer education before we get anywhere close to putting free packets of Methicillin in our cereal boxes.
]]>Perfect if you just ate floor bread or train station Skittles.
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