Local News

Schnucks Promotes Healthier Lifestyles

November 8, 2007

By Cara Newby

Free prescription drugs from Schnucks Markets are one way to save money since families and individuals already pay enough for daily necessities.

Schnucks Markets implemented its “Free Prescription Drug Program for Generic Oral Antibiotics” on Oct. 29, 2007. This program offers free 21-day antibiotic supplies and refills to customers with prescriptions. These antibiotics include amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, penicillin and trimeth/sulfa.

The antibiotics cover oral tablets, capsules and liquids, but not injectables. The program is also available in nearly 100 Schnucks’ pharmacies in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Bob Mueller, director of pharmacy for Schnucks Markets, said: “The program originated as an outgrowth of our overall health and wellness initiative. We are trying to become more involved in promoting healthier lifestyles and reduce people’s cost for prescriptions.”

Free antibiotics are available for both children and adult prescriptions. Mueller said, “The program will probably be used the most by people who don’t have prescription insurance coverage.”

College students, however, may benefit from the program as well. Mueller said: “If saving money is important to college students, it will greatly benefit them. However, if you’re dealing with students who don’t get sick very often, it’s not of much consequence.”

Melanie Craig, MBU senior, said, “This is a good program because if you can't afford medicine to help you get better, you will not be able to work to pay for it either.”
Although the program offers free antibiotics, there have been some challenges. The biggest challenge has been the concern with antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance results when bacteria discover ways to avoid the effects of antibiotics. Consequently, it becomes harder to eliminate infections from the body.
Mueller said: “It is a major issue mainly because people aren’t compliant with their therapy. If they are instructed to take an antibiotic for 10 days, and begin feeling better after five days, they stop taking the antibiotic and save it for the next time they get sick.”
Despite the challenges, the benefits still remain. Craig said, “My parents and I would save around a $1,000 a year.”

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