Antibiotics program of Giant Eagle results in more than $3M in free prescriptions for customers

Pittsburgh-based food and fuel retailer Giant Eagle, Inc. launched its free antibiotics program in September of 2009, and is pleased to announce that the program has resulted in more than $3 million in free prescriptions for customers in the company's four-state operating area.

To date, more than 590,000 prescriptions for free antibiotics have been filled by the Giant Eagle Pharmacy, treating common infections that range from strep throat, ear infections and conjunctivitis to bladder infections, pneumonia, acne, urinary tract and skin infections.

"Giant Eagle launched our free antibiotics program as part of our commitment to improving the health and wellness of our communities," said Giant Eagle Vice President of Pharmacy, Randy Heiser.  "We are very pleased to see such great customer acceptance and confidence in Giant Eagle Pharmacy to deliver these vital prescriptions for children and adults."

In Western Pennsylvania stores, Heiser said that approximately 280,000 prescriptions were filled amounting to nearly $1.4 million.  Across all of its pharmacies, the free antibiotics program has resulted in the addition of more than 135,000 new pharmacy customers to Giant Eagle and more than 1.8 million new scripts from current pharmacy customers.

The program is an extension of Giant Eagle's ongoing price reductions efforts and builds on the company's successful $4 generic prescription medication program that has delivered an additional $30 million in annual customer savings.

"With so many families experiencing some level of economic hardship, medical professionals have worried that prescriptions go unfilled because patients simply can't afford them," said Heiser.  "While people are still navigating challenging times, we've seen a very positive response to our free antibiotics offer which clearly indicates it is filling a real need."

The antibiotics available under the program with a valid prescription are Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cephalexin, Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline Hyclate, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Penicillin, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim and Tetracycline.