Latebreakers: Publix offers seven generic antibiotics for free

The pharmacy world is astir over Publix Super Markets' offer of free 14-day supplies of seven common antibiotics at its 684 pharmacies. All customers need is an Rx. Publix won't bill customers' insurers, and there's no limit on refills. The free antibiotics are all generics: amoxicillin, cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR), penicillin VK, ampicillin, and erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab). Publix added that it would no longer match a program by Wal-Mart that offers 30-day supplies of 143 generic drugs for $4 per Rx. Critics of Publix's new offer feel that while free drugs are a boon to patients, they could promote drug resistance.