Health and Seafood

Antibiotic giveaways by a growing number of supermarket pharmacies have raised fears among some physicians that they could feel more pressure to prescribe the medications when they are not necessary.

Overuse of antibiotics is blamed for the growth of resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Several large grocery store chains with pharmacies have been marketing free 14-day prescriptions of generic versions of the most prescribed antibiotics as a way of helping parents in a flagging economy. Promotions typically run January through March, during the peak of cold and flu season.

The idea is not new. Walker, Mich.-based Meijer began offering free antibiotics -- including amoxicillin and penicillin -- in 2006. But the concept has picked up steam as the economy grows weaker, with more grocery chains jumping on board this winter. Among then are Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix; Giant Food, based in Landover, Md.; Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans; and Stop & Shop, based in Quincy, Mass.

Store executives are clear that it's an enticement to draw more customers. But they also say it's a service to families who might otherwise not fill a prescription or see a doctor because of cost concerns.

Parents are already pressuring physicians to give their children antibiotics, even though viruses cause the most common childhood infections, said Wayne Snodgrass, MD, PhD, chair of the committee on drugs for the American Academy of Pediatrics and professor of pediatrics and pharmacology at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Offers of free medication will probably even more pressure.

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Last Modified : January 31st, 2009
Filed under : Uncategorized
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