Antibiotic Prescriptions Filled Free

Wow!

Following the move by Wal-Mart to offer cheap prescription drugs was Target. And, with two large retailers pushing low-cost drugs, Meijer Inc. decided to offer an even better deal.

With 176 stores in Ohio and four other states, Meijer President Mark Murray announced yesterday that the company will launch "a free prescription drug program to provide antibiotic medicines to customers."

From DDN:

Any customer can take their prescription to any Meijer pharmacy and receive the designated antibiotic free. There are "no strings attached" to the deal, Murray said. "No club to join or membership forms or fees. It's just free."

These low-cost and no-cost drug initiatives were prompted by Wal-Mart's $4 per prescription plan announced a couple of months ago and they will surely have a positive impact on the American consumer. Think about it. A sea change in drug pricing occurred and not one law had to be passed. It came about through visionary retail management.

Of course, there's another side to consider. People will naturally start asking what the drug companies have been doing all along if such dramatic retail price reductions are achievable. You might hear the word "gouging" bandied about.