In October 2006, Meijer Inc, a supermarket chain in the Midwest, initiated a trend of offering free antibiotics to its customers whose doctors had prescribed these medications. This trend has been slowly spreading across the nation as grocery stores vie for customers in response to Wal-mart and Target’s introduction of the $4 generic prescription program. Seventeen months ago Publix Super Markets in Florida followed Meijer’s footsteps and started giving away many commonly prescribed antibiotics to those with prescriptions. So what is so wrong with these programs? With health care costs rising at an alarming rate, one would think this new movement would be a blessing, especially for those on a fixed income or those who would otherwise go without due to a lack of money. However, many consumer groups and physicians are starting to take notice of such tactics and believe these "giveaway" programs may actually encourage patients who would not normally demand a prescription from their doctor because of cost, to do so now. There is also a concern that because of these no-cost programs, many patients may resort to stockpiling prescriptions, therefore leading to a potential antibiotic shortage down the road. As Dr. John Santa points out in his blog at Consumer Reports.org, one begins to wonder why the pharmacies are offering antibiotics and not other prescriptions that would help health care issues such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Is this truly in the best interest of the general public, or is this a sales tactic to get consumers shopping at these pharmacies? And it leaves some speculation as to whether these pharmacies raise the rates for other prescriptions to cover the cost of these programs. Without a doubt there are illnesses, such as strep throat, that require antibiotic treatment. But as many illnesses are caused by viruses, antibiotics will do nothing to speed the recovery process. Prescribing antibiotics to patients who do not need them only facilitates the rise of the super infections, such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Clostridium difficile. Many years ago I worked as a phone triage nurse for a several pediatricians. I can’t begin to tell you the number of calls I would receive from the parent who brought their child in a few days earlier only to leave the office without a prescription. Regardless of the advice I offered, it was not what the parent wanted to hear. As a result, I would pass the information on to the physicians about the patient’s lack of progress, and more times than not the physicians would cave and have me call in a prescription, even though it went against their better judgment. Certainly this issue is up for debate. While I can see many of the benefits of such programs, I believe that educating the public about the dangers of giving antibiotics when not necessary is a far healthier approach. Physicians and other health care providers must stress that antibiotics do nothing to speed recovery from colds and viruses; therefore, we must allow our bodies to build natural defenses to fend off these illnesses, so that when we do need the antibiotics the bacteria hasn’t mutated into the super infections we all fear. What if you could walk into any grocery store pharmacy with a prescription in hand from your health care provider and receive a free 10 day supply of the generic antibiotic? Would you be more willing to shop at these stores, or would you question the motives behind such an offer? Do you think this is a good idea or bad idea? |
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