The Wal-Mart effect: Free antibiotics

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:

1. Getting rid of a cold without antibiotics
2. Why free antibiotics are a terrible idea, and what drug and grocery stores should give away instead
3. Who are more likely to inappropriate prescribe antibiotics?
4. Door-to-antibiotics time for pneumonia
5. Why are hospitals offering nurses free plastic surgery?
6. Stroke and tPA
7. Physician-pharma relationship: "It make sense"

Tagged as: patient