Schnucks to offer free antibiotics

Schnucks Markets announced today that it will offer a selection of generic antibiotics at no charge at its pharmacies, joining a growing list of companies offering steeply discounted generic prescriptions.

In a prepared statement, Schnucks said it will be the first retailer in the region to offer the selection of drugs at no cost. The new policy applies to 54 generic, oral antibiotics, including various doses and formulations of amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciproflaxin, doxycycline, erythromycin, penicillin and trimeth/sulfa.

"You don't have to be a regular customer; there is no co-pay and no required purchase," Steve Juergensmeyer, Schnucks vice president of pharmacy, said in a prepared statement.

The announcement from Schnucks comes about a year after Wal Mart announced it would sell about 150 generic medications for $4 per prescription. Other chains are also using low-cost or free generics to attract customers, including Michigan-based Meijer stores, K-Mart and Target.

The drugs chosen by Schnucks were selected from the list of families of drugs most often prescribed to children and adults, the company said in its news release.

For more, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Tuesday's Southeast Missourian.