Starting Tuesday, Wegmans Food Markets offers its customer antibiotics at no charge for a period of three months, aiming to reduce consumer costs at the height of cold and flu season when there drugs are in peak demand.

 

Representative of the Rochester-based supermarket chain said in a statement they understand the economic pressure families are facing, including the rising cost of health care, which is something they are especially concerned about.

 

The program, which will offer clients antibiotics for free through March 31, is expected to save consumers approximately $1 million in out-of-pocket medicine expenses. The average cost per customer to fill prescriptions for there generic drugs ranges between $8.99 and $13.99.

 

The program is in keeping with the supermarket company’s recent move to cut on hundred of grocery items, Wegmans President Colleen Wegman said. The grocery chain already offers another generic drug program pricing hundreds of medications for chronic condition at $11.99 for a 90-day supply.

 

The program includes nine antibiotics in the following forms: oral tablets, capsules, liquids and select ophthalmic ointments. The list of antibiotics includes Amoxicilin, Ampicilin, Bacitracin, Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, Erytromycin, Penicilin and Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.

 

The antibiotics will be available in the 72 stores Wegmans operates in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland.

Wegmans follows several grocery chains across the nation: Michigan-based Meijer began a free antibiotics program in 2006; other stores, including Publix Super Markets, Giant Food Stores and Stop & Shop, have followed suit.