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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has begun offering free diabetes medications at its Super Rx pharmacy locations.
The southern California food and drug chain said Monday that as part of American Diabetes Month in November, it will provide about a half-dozen generic medications for type 2 diabetes at no charge in its 27 supermarket pharmacies.
Medications being offered, in varying strengths and up to 100 pills, include metformin, metformin ER, glimepride, glipizide, glipizide XL, glyburide and glyburide micro. To participate in the program, which launched Nov. 1, customers must have a valid prescription (including transferred and authorized refills) from their doctor.
Stater Bros., which operates 167 supermarkets, noted that the American Diabetes Association has estimated the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States at $174 billion (based on 2007 figures). What’s more, millions of Americans have type 2 diabetes, many more are unaware they are at risk for the disease or already have it, and the pills needed to manage the condition can be expensive, the company said.
"We believe in doing the right thing for the right reason," Jack Brown, Stater Bros. chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "As the only supermarket chain in southern California to provide these medications for free during these tough economic times is the right thing to do. We’re pleased to be able to provide our valued customers with access to high-quality, affordable pharmacy services."
Stater Bros. Super Rx Pharmacy provides a number of healthy living programs, including free antibiotic and $4 generic prescription programs. In October, the retailer offered a free 30-day supply of breast cancer treatment medication tamoxifen as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And in May, Stater Bros. provided a selection of generic prenatal vitamins free to expectant mothers during Pregnancy Awareness Month.
