Some local pharmacies are giving antibiotics away for free to compete with Wal-Mart’s $4 generics. Will this lead to continuing overuse? Very likely:
From a patient care standpoint, I see this as a real problem. Wal-mart had the right idea, kind of, with offering some discounted chronic medicines – like blood pressure medicines and antidepressants. But, offering antibiotics?Many studies have shown that you don’t need an antibiotic every time you get a respiratory infection. And, I even admit, if I’m on the fence for a diagnosis, I err on the side of possibly a bacterial infection, and I prescribe the antibiotic.
Related posts:
- Getting rid of a cold without antibiotics
- Why free antibiotics are a terrible idea, and what drug and grocery stores should give away instead
- Who are more likely to inappropriate prescribe antibiotics?
- Door-to-antibiotics time for pneumonia
- Too many doctors are calling in antibiotics over the phone
- Stroke and tPA
- Why are hospitals offering nurses free plastic surgery?
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{ 1 comment }
Is minocycline one of the free antibiotics that WalMart provides?
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