Free Antibiotics?

[Shrav]

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Hey All,

All right I guess this issue may be trashed around for quite a bit already but just was curious about one more thing, I did read a letter in the US pharmacist (i guess the letter to the editor kind of thing) where a pharmacist spoke about a chain of supermarkets called 'Publix' in the Southern states within the US that began giving a 14 days worth of supply of antibiotics (Amoxycillin, Penicillin etc.) for free, when the patient produced a prescription for the drug. I could be wrong in this so feel free to correct me on this one.
Well the letter goes on to say that when Publix was asked about this matter, it seems that this issue has come in response to Wal-Mart giving out prescriptions for $4 (something like that) and hence the move was made...any ideas as to how much of this is true? Well we all know the effects that dispensing antibiotics at this rate would have...but just wished to see how widespread the overuse of antibiotics really was?

Have you ever come across a situation where the doc has actually prescribed an antibiotic that you feel may not be necessary to administer to the patient?

Thanks in advance
Cheers

PS: The list of antibiotics given out in the 14 day supply was the really basic ones such as Amoxycillin, Erythromycin etc. the list had about 8 or so antibiotics...but nonetheless they were antibiotics...

 

[evilolive]

I don't know if this applies, but I do remember some pharmacies and free clinics readjusting their prices to make some drugs cheaper while others more expensive. This may allow some people to really get the drugs they need, but it's definitely annoying to have to redistribute how much things cost because it's never "fair." To answer your question about the physician prescribing unnecessary antibiotics, i'm sure people feel that way all the time. That's what the clarifying phone call is for.

 

[Shrav]

Well it would be a way to control what is readily available and what is not...instead of putting the 'price factor' would there not be any way just to limit the availibility of antibiotics? I might me getting into stuff that should be generalized and this could get really vauge but would it not be easier if the govt or a centeralized association had control over the antibiotics being dispensed in pharmacies nationwide?

 

[ageldred]

I might me getting into stuff that should be generalized and this could get really vauge but would it not be easier if the govt or a centeralized association had control over the antibiotics being dispensed in pharmacies nationwide?

Do you really want the govt to tell you what drugs you can and cannot get? Antibiotics are not illegal, why would the government be involved?

However, what I think you're really getting at is that antibiotics are being overprescribed and shouldn't something be done to stop that. Probably so. At this point it's up to the prescribers.

 

[Fenderplayer108]

Im located in Missouri, and have copied numerous scripts to schnucks. They supply up to a 21-day supply of antibiotics for no charge, regardless if you have insurance or not.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Giant Eagle up in W. PA/N. WV doles out free Cipro....which is awesome....

 

[ageldred]

Im located in Missouri, and have copied numerous scripts to schnucks. They supply up to a 21-day supply of antibiotics for no charge, regardless if you have insurance or not.

Schnucks? And I thought here in Florida, Publix was a funny store name 😀

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

I think this is just a ploy on the part of Publix to drum up more business for their pharmacy. When patients come in to get their free antibiotics they are more likely to fill their other prescriptions there too. Plus, once they are in the store they'll buy more stuff they don't really need just because "they're there already anyway."
Additionally, this move can potentially increase antibiotic resistance that is already on the rise. Bad idea...tsk, tsk!

 

[ForcedEntry]

Bad idea...tsk, tsk!

Not to the stock holders.

 

[ageldred]

Not to the stock holders.

Isn't Publix privately owned by its employees? 😛

 

[dgroulx]

Isn't Publix privately owned by its employees? 😛

Yes. You can only buy stock if you are an employee.

We haven't seen much fallout from this where I work, because most everyone is on Florida medicaid and don't pay for them anyway.

 

[ForcedEntry]

Isn't Publix privately owned by its employees? 😛

Go return your financial aid.

 

[ageldred]

Go return your financial aid.

too late i spent it all.....here's to january coming quickly!

 

[WestTXisGr8]

I think this is just a ploy on the part of Publix to drum up more business for their pharmacy. When patients come in to get their free antibiotics they are more likely to fill their other prescriptions there too. Plus, once they are in the store they'll buy more stuff they don't really need just because "they're there already anyway."
Additionally, this move can potentially increase antibiotic resistance that is already on the rise. Bad idea...tsk, tsk!

??? Of course they want to drum up more business. That's what business is about. That's why every pharmacy sells more than just prescription drugs. Or why they offer gift cards for transfers, etc. I thought that's what all business was about - obtaining more business.

How on earth does them filling a prescribed antibiotic for free increase antibiotic resistance? They aren't giving out prescriptions, they are filling ones already prescribed. These same people would get them somewhere else, unless of course you are referring to the large percentage of people (as in my area) who are seen for free by the ER so they can get their Hydrocodone and Antibiotic prescription because they are sooo ill that they really only need to fill the Hydrocodone portion of the script. Since those people really didn't want the Antibiotic to begin with, I guess giving it to them for free would make them more antibiotic resistant. But you can counter that with the people who won't take all their antibiotics now because they didn't have to pay for them so they don't feel the strong need to "get their money's worth" out of the antibiotics, so it's a wash. Well, maybe skewed in the hydrocodone addicts favor.

Of course we could make at least 75% of the population non-antibiotic resistant if they just changed the price to about $200+ per prescription for antibiotics. Very few people would have them filled, so few people would be antibiotic resistant. Problem solved. Go figure.

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"By all means, let's not confuse the facts with the truth."

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

??? Of course they want to drum up more business. That's what business is about. That's why every pharmacy sells more than just prescription drugs. Or why they offer gift cards for transfers, etc. I thought that's what all business was about - obtaining more business.

How on earth does them filling a prescribed antibiotic for free increase antibiotic resistance? They aren't giving out prescriptions, they are filling ones already prescribed. These same people would get them somewhere else, unless of course you are referring to the large percentage of people (as in my area) who are seen for free by the ER so they can get their Hydrocodone and Antibiotic prescription because they are sooo ill that they really only need to fill the Hydrocodone portion of the script. Since those people really didn't want the Antibiotic to begin with, I guess giving it to them for free would make them more antibiotic resistant. But you can counter that with the people who won't take all their antibiotics now because they didn't have to pay for them so they don't feel the strong need to "get their money's worth" out of the antibiotics, so it's a wash. Well, maybe skewed in the hydrocodone addicts favor.

Of course we could make at least 75% of the population non-antibiotic resistant if they just changed the price to about $200+ per prescription for antibiotics. Very few people would have them filled, so few people would be antibiotic resistant. Problem solved. Go figure.

-----------------------------------------------------
"By all means, let's not confuse the facts with the truth."

First of all, people don't get resistant to antibiotics...bugs do. Second, giving out free antibiotics is bad because patients will misuse them even more. For example, a patient suffering from a cold (caused by a virus) will ask his/her doctor to write a script for antibiotics even though they do not need it; "just to be safe, since its free anyways." The doctor is pressured to write the script otherwise he/she might lose the patient to another doctor. However, as you said, since patients didn't pay for it they are less likely to complete the dosing regimen once they feel better. This leads to the bacteria developing resistance to said antibiotic. This is not just an individual patient problem because it affects the entire community. Why do you think there is an increasing number of MRSA cases in the United States? Third, I understand that pharmacies must make money in order to remain in business but you have to remember that pharmacy and pharmacists are there to safeguard public health and not just make money. I don't have a problem with pharmacies making money. I do have a problem with them putting business ahead of their obligations to the patient and the general public.

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

? These same people would get them somewhere else, unless of course you are referring to the large percentage of people (as in my area) who are seen for free by the ER so they can get their Hydrocodone and Antibiotic prescription because they are sooo ill that they really only need to fill the Hydrocodone portion of the script. Since those people really didn't want the Antibiotic to begin with, I guess giving it to them for free would make them more antibiotic resistant.

Huh? When does a person become sooo ill that they really only need to fill the hydrocodone? I've worked at a retail pharmacy before and we always treated such a patient with suspicion.

Get rid of the infection first so inflammation goes away. Pain killers just get rid of the pain temporarily but they don't take care of the underlying cause. If a patient comes to me with prescriptions for antibiotics and narcotics and says he/she only wants the narcotic I'll say "Sorry, no can do."

 

[WestTXisGr8]

Huh? When does a person become sooo ill that they really only need to fill the hydrocodone? I've worked at a retail pharmacy before and we always treated such a patient with suspicion.

Get rid of the infection first so inflammation goes away. Pain killers just get rid of the pain temporarily but they don't take care of the underlying cause. If a patient comes to me with prescriptions for antibiotics and narcotics and says he/she only wants the narcotic I'll say "Sorry, no can do."

I was being sarcastic. Where I live we have a local county hospital, which means they must see everyone, even those who can't or don't pay. So that in turn means all the hydrocodone junkies go to the ER with some illness so they can get a script of hydrocodone. But they never just get a script of HC, the ER always prescribes an HC and an antibiotic. They never seem to need to fill the antibiotic, just the HC. I was being sarcastic about being "so sick" that they only need the HC.

When I worked in retail pharmacy, I would say NO to them just getting the HC. But the majority of the time they would complain to the pharmacist, and depending on the pharmacist they would allow them just to get the HC. So go figure.

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

I was being sarcastic. Where I live we have a local county hospital, which means they must see everyone, even those who can't or don't pay. So that in turn means all the hydrocodone junkies go to the ER with some illness so they can get a script of hydrocodone. But they never just get a script of HC, the ER always prescribes an HC and an antibiotic. They never seem to need to fill the antibiotic, just the HC. I was being sarcastic about being "so sick" that they only need the HC.

When I worked in retail pharmacy, I would say NO to them just getting the HC. But the majority of the time they would complain to the pharmacist, and depending on the pharmacist they would allow them just to get the HC. So go figure.

😱 I have to say that in this case, both the doctor and pharmacist are enablers. That's a shame.

Anyways, I failed to note the sarcasm in your first post. I guess, it was "lost in translation." 😀

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

First of all, people don't get resistant to antibiotics...bugs do. Second, giving out free antibiotics is bad because patients will misuse them even more. For example, a patient suffering from a cold (caused by a virus) will ask his/her doctor to write a script for antibiotics even though they do not need it; "just to be safe, since its free anyways." The doctor is pressured to write the script otherwise he/she might lose the patient to another doctor. However, as you said, since patients didn't pay for it they are less likely to complete the dosing regimen once they feel better. This leads to the bacteria developing resistance to said antibiotic. This is not just an individual patient problem because it affects the entire community. Why do you think there is an increasing number of MRSA cases in the United States? Third, I understand that pharmacies must make money in order to remain in business but you have to remember that pharmacy and pharmacists are there to safeguard public health and not just make money. I don't have a problem with pharmacies making money. I do have a problem with them putting business ahead of their obligations to the patient and the general public.

Most physcians are well capable to know when or when not to give antibiotics. In addition, they are already pressured to write script otherwise. Making the antibiotic free will not change this. I believe what EastTxs said is true. You underestimate doctors too much and sterotype them.

Just because a patient does not have to pay antibiotics do not mean that they will not finish them. Patients are already doing that now. On the other hand, what if they cannot afford the full therapy? What if they were to buy enough tablets so that they can get better, and wont finish buying the rest because they dont have the means to? Your arguement doesnt hold here.

The increase in MRSA was due to the doctor patient relationship. It was here before free antibiotics, and it will be here long after. To say that after free antibiotics will cause more cases of MRSA. . . is an overstatement.

IMO, free antibiotics can be a good or bad thing for a patient like all other options. Most patients however are already getting their antibiotics for little or no costs due to insurance companies.

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

Most physcians are well capable to know when or when not to give antibiotics. In addition, they are already pressured to write script otherwise. Making the antibiotic free will not change this. I believe what EastTxs said is true. You underestimate doctors too much and sterotype them.

Just because a patient does not have to pay antibiotics do not mean that they will not finish them. Patients are already doing that now. On the other hand, what if they cannot afford the full therapy? What if they were to buy enough tablets so that they can get better, and wont finish buying the rest because they dont have the means to? Your arguement doesnt hold here.

The increase in MRSA was due to the doctor patient relationship. It was here before free antibiotics, and it will be here long after. To say that after free antibiotics will cause more cases of MRSA. . . is an overstatement.

IMO, free antibiotics can be a good or bad thing for a patient like all other options. Most patients however are already getting their antibiotics for little or no costs due to insurance companies.

No, I'm not underestimating or stereotyping doctors but I do think many doctors are overprescribing antibiotics. Besides, EastTxisGr8 even admits that doctors write scripts for antibiotics for addicts in the area who come to them with bogus claims of illness. If all doctors are capable of deciding whether a patient needs antibiotics or not, then why are they writing these scripts so addicts can get their fix.
It's true MRSA was here before free antibiotics but it's an evolving problem that can only get worse and giving out free antibiotics is not going to help it any.
Even doctors know this...
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=3456140&page=1

 

[Old Timer]

I was being sarcastic. Where I live we have a local county hospital, which means they must see everyone, even those who can't or don't pay. So that in turn means all the hydrocodone junkies go to the ER with some illness so they can get a script of hydrocodone. But they never just get a script of HC, the ER always prescribes an HC and an antibiotic. They never seem to need to fill the antibiotic, just the HC. I was being sarcastic about being "so sick" that they only need the HC.

When I worked in retail pharmacy, I would say NO to them just getting the HC. But the majority of the time they would complain to the pharmacist, and depending on the pharmacist they would allow them just to get the HC. So go figure.

No antibiotic, no HC, period. Go somewhere else. That is typical drug seeking behavior and I don;t have time for that.