New Free Antibiotic Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Two Central Ohio supermarkets are offering a new program to help people save money on the cost of their prescription medications.

Giant Eagle and Kroger both have ten commonly used generic prescription antibiotics available for free.

Both programs kick off Thursday September 3 and are available at all central Ohio Giant Eagle and Kroger pharmacies.

Common infections capable of being treated with antibiotics include strep throat, ear infections, conjunctivitis, bladder infections, pneumonia, acne, urinary tract and skin infections. 

Antibiotics are not effective on viruses like common colds or the flu.

The best person to determine if antibiotics are appropriate is your primary care physician and/or healthcare provider.

At Giant Eagle, the following drugs qualify for the program, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Cephalexin, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, Ciprofloxacin, Bacitracin and Doxycycline Hyclate.

Giant Eagle previously piloted a seasonal antibiotics program in Columbus in 2006.

Today’s announcement expands on this pilot.
At Kroger, customers can get free 14-day supplies of the following antibiotics free of charge, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Bactiracin Opthalmic Ointment, Cephalexin. Ciprofloxacin tablets, Doxycycline Hyclate 50mg & 100mg, Erthromycin 250mg an 500mg tablets, Penicillin, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim and Tetracycline.
The free antibiotic offer is good for new prescriptions only and applies to certain antibiotic forms and dosage strengths.

Besides the free antibiotics program, Kroger began offering flu shots in Kroger pharmacies earlier this week, with vaccinations available while supplies last.

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