What Does It Mean For Customers Who Have Been Benefiting From This Program
Since Publix is no longer offering medications for free after the program ends on June 1, customers will have to obtain antibiotics and maintenance medications through their health insurance plans.
Most insurance plans cover the generic medications that are a part of the Publix free prescription program. However, people who do not have insurance or have high deductibles or copays will have to bear an out-of-pocket cost.
Here is an estimate of the out-of-pocket cost for these medications:
- Amlodipine 10 mg x 90 tablets cost approximately $17
- Metformin 500 mg x 90 tablets cost approximately $20
- Lisinopril 20 mg x 90 tablets cost approximately $34
- Amoxicillin 500 mg x 14 capsules cost approximately $11
Next Closest Thing To Free
If you are taking generic medications that arent on the free lists above there is still good news. You too can potentially save considerable money on your medications by shopping around using prescription discount cards like Singlecare, check out Healthwarehouse or Blink Health, or utilize the many discounted medication programs that the varying pharmacies offer which is discussed in a separate article.
There Are Similar Medication Programs Still Offered At Other Stores
If you relied on Publix for your free prescription medication, you might benefit from checking your options at other stores. According to VeryWell Health, there are at least 12 national or regional programs that offer shoppers a selection of discounted or free medications at various pharmacies. This most similar to Publix’s is Meijer Stores and ShopRite Stores, which both operate a free prescription program for certain medications, like low-cost antibiotics, prenatal vitamins, and diabetes medications. Nationwide, both Kroger and Costco stores offer prescription medications at extremely low prices, according to VeryWell Health.
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Grocer Publix To Offer 7 Antibiotics For Free
Experts say Publix’s plan to hand out free drugs could be a money-making ploy.
Publix Super Markets Inc., which is privately held, said Monday it would give away seven generic antibiotics, most often taken for such ailments as strep throat and bronchitis.
“We hope that Public will realize that antibiotics must be used carefully, or we will lose them,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, chairman of the Infectious Diseases Society of the American National and Global Health Committee. “Antibiotics should only be prescribed and taken when it is clear the patient needs them to fight a bacterial infection where the benefit is clear.”
Publix’s plan mimics one already put in place by Meijer, a privately held retailer with stores throughout the Midwest. It also comes nearly a year after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and others started selling such drugs for $4 per prescription.
“Giving away antibiotics for free may be good for families if they cannot afford them and they need to fill prescriptions,” said Dr. Edward E. Lawson, vice chairman of the department of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
“But the other side of the coin is that it encourages use of antibiotics without checks and balances, and we get into problems with resistance to bugs.”
Untreated infections like strep throat can lead to the old killer rheumatic fever, but overuse of antibiotics can build resistance to bacteria-born infections in the population at large, said Lawson.
Reuters contributed to this story.
Amoxicillin Diabetes And Blood Pressure Drugs To Cost $750
ORLANDO, Fla. Publix is ending its free prescription program for drugs like amoxicillin after 15 years.
The program will end June 1, the supermarket giant confirmed to News 6 on Wednesday.
Publix debuted our free prescription program in 2007, and to date we have dispensed well over 100 million free prescriptions. We consistently evaluate our programs and services to ensure they are meeting the intended purpose and evolve over time, the statement from a Publix spokesperson said.
Instead of being free, amoxicillin, a common generic antibiotic, will be available for $7.50 for a 14-day supply.
Maintenance medications like Metformin, a diabetes medication, Lisinopril and Amlodipine, high blood pressure medications, will be eligible for $7.50 for a 90-day supply.
Publix says the drugs are commonly covered by health insurance already.
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Publix Pharmacy Offers Free Antibiotics
Get up to a 14-day supply of Publix free antibiotics. The generic, oral antibiotics they offer include:
- Amoxicillin
- Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
- Penicillin VK
If your doctor says you need more than 14 days, have them send in another prescription to the pharmacy, and youll get another 14 days of Publix free antibiotics!
To find a Publix Pharmacy near you, .
Publix To Offer 7 Popular Prescription Antibiotics For Free
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — 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 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 are ready,” Agwunobi said, predicting a heavy response.
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.
Wal-Mart Stores is selling a number of generic prescription drugs for $4 in hopes that it can draw more shoppers into its stores who may come for prescriptions and then stay to buy in other departments.
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Publix Reaches Pharmacy Milestone
Russell Redman 1 | Jan 02, 2020
Publix Super Markets has filled the 100 millionth prescription under its free medication program.
Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix announced the pharmacy milestone on Thursday. Launched in 2007, Publix Pharmacys free prescription drug program offers 14-day supplies of selected generic antibiotics and 90-day supplies of generic maintenance medications for hypertension and diabetes at no charge.
Related:Supermarket pharmacies lead in customer satisfaction
We are proud to provide a service that helps our customers afford their medications. As the cost of health care continues to rise, this program has become even more important to our customers and our communities, Dain Rusk, vice president of pharmacy at Publix, said in a statement.
To get the designated medications for free, Publix Pharmacy patients just need to provide the pharmacist with a prescription for drugs covered in the program, and they will be filled at no cost. Publix noted that theres no limit on the number of free prescriptions, and the medications are provided at no charge regardless of a patients insurance coverage.
Related:Publix plans more in-store telehealth stations
Antibiotics available under the free medication program include amoxicillin, ampicillin, SMZ-TMP and penicillin VK. Free maintenance medicines include amlodipine , metformin and lisinopril . Some medications are available free only under certain dosages.
Why Do Pharmacies Offer Drugs For Free Whats In It For Them
The goal of any business is to make its owners money and pharmacies are no different. Pharmacies that offer free drug programs are able to give away these medications for free because you will more than likely fill the rest of your medications at the same pharmacy as a matter of convenience.
Only the most frugal, savvy shoppers are willing to make several different stops to get the lowest prices on all of their medications. And these companies use this to their advantage. They offer super-cheap generic medications for free, take the miniscule loss, and profit from the many other prescriptions you fill with them or other items you buy.
Since all of the pharmacies that offer free medications programs are also grocery stores you are also more likely to buy other high margin merchandise there such as OTC medications, shampoo, diapers, baby products, candy bars, housewares, etc
With all that said, make sure you are keeping money in your pocket and being a smart medication shopper. Take advantage of these free medication programs when it is advantageous to you.
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+ Pharmacies That Offer Free Antibiotics
9+ Pharmacies That Offer Free Antibio…
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Getting sick is a pain, but heres some news that will at least make your bank account feel a little better: there are chain pharmacies across the country that offer free or cheap antibiotics to their customers even without insurance!
Keep in mind that you cant get free antibiotics without a valid prescription.
Be sure to to get the scoop on more ways you can save on your next trip to the pharmacy.
What Is The Publix Pharmacy Free Prescription Program
The Publix Pharmacy free prescription program began more than a decade ago. It includes a handful of commonly prescribed medications used by doctors to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and infections. As part of the program, these medications are free at Publix Pharmacies for as long as a customers doctor prescribes them.
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Publix Pharmacy Has Gained Several Recognitions
Publix Pharmacy has gained several recognitions in recent months.
In November, Publix Pharmacy won the Retail Specialty Pharmacy Patient Choice Award, presented by Zitter Insights, a division of Managed Markets Insights & Technology, in the Retail Specialty Pharmacy category, a press release said. This was the second time Publix Pharmacy had received this award.
Publix Pharmacy operates a dual-accredited specialty pharmacy, in addition to the companys standard retail pharmacy, Publix said. The specialty pharmacy dispenses and provides support for more complex medications that are not typically found at traditional pharmacies, such as those developed to treat rare diseases.
Recently:Publix is the top grocer on a new Forbes survey of customer service and social responsibility
Winners were selected based on scores from quarterly surveys of more than 10,000 specialty pharmacy patients. To be considered, Publix Pharmacy had to meet criteria set by representatives from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, trade organizations, consultants and equity research firms.
Also, Katie Scanlon, senior director of pharmacy administration, and Kathy Leonard, director of retail pharmacy operations, were highlighted in Drug Store News for winning spots on the annual list of Top Women in Health, Wellness & Beauty. They gained the publication’s Business Excellence Award.
Antibiotics Free At Publix
- MADHUSMITA BORA
Along with milk, bread and meat, you can now pick up a few free antibiotics at your neighborhood Publix store.
The Lakeland grocer Monday launched a drug program that allows customers to obtain up to a 14-day supply of seven common, generic oral antibiotics. Publix is not limiting the number of free prescriptions per customer.
The program ratchets up the generic-drug price war triggered last year by discount goliath Wal-Mart. The mass retailer slashed prices on 291 generic drugs to $4 for a 30-day supply. Refusing to be left behind, Target followed with a similar program. In October, Michigan grocer Meijer announced it’s doling out eight generic antibiotics for free.
“Supermarkets were more aggressive initially in responding to Wal-Mart type of programs than the drugstores,” said Dan Alaimo, editor of nonfood strategies at the trade magazine Supermarket News.
Publix declined to elaborate on how much the new program would cost the grocer. The average retail price on the listed drugs could be anywhere from $10 to $60. It’s not known if the company will eventually raise the cost of other products to make up for the difference.
Still, Publix’s announcement marries well with the soaring popularity of generic drugs. Profit margins on name-brand drugs are in constant decline, according to a 2006 study by Mark S. Gottlieb, a New York accounting and consulting firm.
“The main thing is to get people into the stores,” Alaimo said.
FAST FACTS
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Publix Is Ending Its Free Prescription Medication Program Soon
Publix recently confirmed that it will end its free prescription medication program on June 1, West Orlando News reported. This means that customers will no longer be able to get certain prescription medications filled for no cost at the grocer’s pharmacies. And this might be a hit to many shoppers, as the program has been around for 15 years.
“Publix debuted our free prescription program in 2007, and to date we have dispensed well over 100 million free prescriptions. We consistently evaluate our programs and services to ensure they are meeting the intended purpose and evolve over time,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement to News 6 in Orlando, Florida.
These Medications Will Still Be Available To Buy At Publix Pharmacies After June
Publix isn’t removing these medications from its pharmacies altogether. Instead, antibiotics like amoxicillin will be available for customers to buy at $7.50 for a 14-day supply and maintenance medications for diabetes and high blood pressure will be available at $7.50 for a 90-day supply, according to News 6.
“While we are no longer offering medications for free, many will still be available at Publix Pharmacy at little to no out-of-pocket cost with most insurance plans,” the company said on a flier it is distributing to customers, per West Orlando News. The news outlet added that Publix is encouraging its customers to ask their local pharmacists any questions about the program ending and how it will affect their medication costs.
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Publix Meds List: Is It Cheaper Than Using Goodrx Coupons
For this article, I researched the medications available on Publixs meds list and used the GoodRx prescription savings app to see if other pharmacies near my home in Florida offered an even lower price.
Here are the key findings:
- In most cases, Publix had the lowest price for the generic drugs that are part of its program.
- The runner-up was usually Walmart or Winn-Dixie Pharmacy, another regional grocery store chain.
- GoodRx sometimes showed a higher price for Publix than what you would pay using Publixs free and low-cost medication program.
My price comparison below includes all of the medications on Publixs meds list when I collected the data in December 2019. In many cases, multiple dosages are eligible for the cheap price. However, I had to select only one dose to compare the Publix price with GoodRx.
To make it easier for you to find the medication that youre looking for, Ive sorted the prescription drugs by type. You can use the quick links below to advance to a specific type of medication.
Publix Meds List: Cheaper Than Goodrx Coupons
Have you heard about the Publix meds list? The Publix supermarket chain isnt the cheapest store to buy groceries, but it may be the cheapest place to fill some common prescription drugs.
If you live near a Publix Pharmacy, youve probably seen the TV ads or heard the radio commercials about its free and low-cost generic medication program, including a 90-day supply for $7.50.
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Publix: No Charge For Antibiotics
Publix has come up with one way to compete with the $4 charged for a 30-day supply of certain generic prescription drugs by Wal-Mart. The company will just give them away for free. Okay, not all of them, but seven of the most prescribed and least expensive generic oral antibiotics.
According to a Publix press release, the seven antibiotics, which include Amoxicillin, Cephalexin Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim , Ciprofloxacin , Penicillin VK, Ampicillin and Erythromycin , make up roughly 50 percent of the generic pediatric prescriptions filled at the companys 684 pharmacies.
The company said it will fill prescriptions for a 14-day supply of the antibiotics at no charge and will not place a limit on the number of prescriptions. According to IMS Health, the seven antibiotics generally run between $4 and $10.50 for a 14-day supply. Ciprofloxacin is more expensive costing $32.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist was on hand for the Publix announcement. “Health and wellness is crucial to every Floridians quality of life and paramount to the vitality of our state,” he 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.”
Competing pharmacists, however, did give Publix high marks for its marketing prowess.
Publix Meds List: 90 Days For $750 Program
SUMMARY: Publix offers a 90-day supply of two dozen prescription drugs for just $7.50, which works to $2.50 a month. For the price comparison with GoodRx, I selected one dose and quantity for each drug. If you take a different dose, it may also be covered as part of the program. Read the fine print on Publixs website to find out. In nearly all cases, GoodRxs coupons werent able to beat Publixs $7.50 price. However, its worth noting that GoodRx typically displayed the $7.50 Publix price in its results.
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Free Publix Prescriptions Program To End Soon
Publix Super Markets once offered a variety of medications free of charge.
Unfortunately, this popular prescriptions program is coming to an end.
The Lakeland-based chain recently announced the program is scheduled to end on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
The Lakeland Ledger has reported:
According to some Publix employees, citing internal company emails, medications that were free through Publix Pharmacy such as amoxicillin, lisinopril, metformin, amlodipine and others could now possibly cost $7.50 for a 90-day or 14-day supply where appropriate, the news report said.
Since starting the program in 2007, Publix has offered free Amlodipine, Amoxicillin, Lisinopril and Metformin, among other medications. Available medications treated conditions such as:
- Heart Health/Cardiovascular
