Grocer Publix to Hand Out 7 Prescription Antibiotics for Free

Tuesday , August 07, 2007

Publix has decided to start giving away seven commonly prescribed antibiotics for free.

The oral antibiotics will be available at no cost to any customers with a prescription as often as they need it.

Publix will offer 14-day supplies of the seven drugs at all of the company's pharmacies. The supermarket chain operates 684 pharmacies in five states.

Publix CEO Charlie Jenkins, Jr says he hopes the decision to offer the free prescriptions will build the company's pharmacy business and help people too.

Today Governor Charlie Crist appeared at a Public store in Cape Coral to praise Publix for, what he called, its generosity and great corporate ethic.

Other retailers that offer discounted drug programs include K-Mart and Wal-Mart (WMT). But Publix says it's the first large regional chain to offer certain drugs at no cost.

(AP / www.foxnews.com)