Hi folks,

I don't want to redebate the whether stocking antibiotics in your first aid kit is a good idea, but for those of you who would like to but are put off by the cost, this may be of interest:

Stop and Shop offers free antibiotics

You still need a perscription, but the price sure is right for something you may or may not wind up using.

Hope this is helpful to someone out there!

Is it just me, or does this sound rather stupid?

These are to be self-administered, based on perceived need by people who don't know diddly squat?

What we DON'T need is more antibiotics to use as a remedy for the common cold, which doesn't respond to antibiotics, anyway. Nor do we need more antibiotics so we become more resistant to them when we need them.

Sue

The site looks to be a referral system or some type of 3rd party network not a direct company ? Hmmmm

They appear to be a chain of drugstores, and it says only that they are filling 14 day prescriptions for free.
Most antibiotics are pretty inexpensive, so it would make a good loss leader for them.
Once you go to their store they expect you to buy more stuff.

I think it's a case of following suit.

In this area (Northern Virginia) I've seen signs at Wegman's, Giant, Safeway, and if I'm not mistaken Wal-Mart offering the same free 14 days worth of antibiotics at their Pharmacies.

When Wal-Mart started their $4.00 prescriptions, most of the other store pharmacies followed to keep up. I think that might be what is happening here.

I'm not a fan of some of Wal-Mart's practices, but the one subscription that used to cost me $90.00 a month now only costs me $4.00 and that was forced on the local store because of Wally.

"suspicious" is the word that comes to my mind.

If I had American style health care that pays for nothing I would likely consider this to be a good deal.
But I am a Canadian and this stuff is dirt cheap to us.
So cheap that we do not even think about using veterinarian antibiotics from the feed store.

Looks like a plan to "Get you in the Door" so you can buy other items from the store. "Loss Leader " marketing. But would I want a store full of sick people??

Suspicious?

Stop and Shop is a well known and respected chain of supermarkets (at least in the northeast).

They are not just giving out drugs - you still need a perscription from your doctor, just like any pharmacy.

I know that Walmart is doing this for $4, but free is less than $4, so I thought it might be useful to someone.

Just because the business rationale is that of a "loss leader" to get you in the store, doesn't mean you shouldn't take advantage of it. You are under no obligation to buy anything else.

Am I missing something?

The only thing you are missing is that it is probably their time of the month and they are all a bit cranky.
They are likely still nursing their Xmas Season credit card hangovers, it is about the time they would see the bills coming in the mail.

If I needed a prescription for antibiotics filled and lived close to one of the Stop and Shop stores I would likely get it filled there.
One drug store is pretty much like another one.