Meijer to give away some prescription antibiotics

CHICAGO, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Meijer, a privately held U.S. retailer, on Monday said it would give away certain prescription drugs, focused on antibiotics that are most often prescribed for childhood ailments such as strep throat.

The plan covers amoxicillin, cephalexin, SMZ-TMP, ciprofloxacin, penicillin VK, ampicillin and erythromycin, the company said.

Meijer's plan comes one month after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N) started offering certain generic prescription drugs for $4, including most of the drugs on Meijer's list.

The antibiotics that Meijer will give away are not prescribed for flu or any other viral disease, but are often given for conditions such as strep throat and bronchitis.

"While over-the-counter drugs are important in relieving the symptoms associated with common illnesses like cold or flu, antibiotics are critical in attacking the cause of bacterial infections and help prevent the spread of the infections," said Dr. Herman Gray, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and president of the Children's Hospital of Michigan.

Meijer, which has stores in five Midwestern U.S. states, said the plan covers more than 70 percent of the generic, pediatric antibiotic prescriptions it fills.

The company said that 94 percent of its shoppers have some form of insurance coverage, but still have co-pays for drugs. Now, any customer with a prescription for these medications can get them for free, regardless of coverage.

The retailer, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has stores in 176 stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Of the states where Meijer operates, Wal-Mart's $4 plan is only valid in Illinois and Indiana.

Wal-Mart introduced its $4 plan in Florida in September, and rolled it out to 14 additional states last week.