Publix Fills More Than 50M Free Prescriptions

Publix pharmacies this month reached the milestone of filling more than 50 million free prescriptions for customers over the past eight years. The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer introduced its free prescription program for antibiotics back in 2007, and has expanded it since.

Among the medications that Publix provides to customers at no cost are Amlodipine, used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain; Metformin, used to treat diabetes; and Lisinopril, used to treat symptoms of high blood pressure, some heart conditions, diabetes and certain chronic kidney conditions. Antibiotics offered by the program include amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR), penicillin VK, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP).

Noting that the initiative has "helped so many customers with free antibiotic prescriptions, diabetes management and medication adherence as well as overcoming the financial barrier to taking their medications as prescribed," Maria Brous, Publix's director of media and community relations, said, "We've continued to enhance our free prescription program to allow our customers to focus on family health and achieving their wellness goals."

To take part in the program, customers need to provide a Publix pharmacist with a prescription for one of the free medications and it will be filled at no charge. The grocer doesn't limit the number of free prescriptions that may be filled, and further encourages shoppers to make use of the Sync Your Refills program, launched last year, which enables them to get all of their medications refilled on the same day of the month. 

Privately-owned and -operated by its 174,000 employees, Publix has 1,100 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.