NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Stores in New Jersey offering free antibiotics say they're not concerned the program could be abused by people who don't need the medication.
Stop & Shop, Wegman's and Shoprite stores this month began giving away antibiotics to customers with a prescription, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Sunday.
"People are coming from everywhere," said Shilvanti Patel, a pharmacist at Stop & Shop. "Even doctors are calling to find out about the program."
Public health experts say people who don't actually need antibiotics may press their doctors for a prescription just because the medication is free.
"It's outrageous," said Stuart Levy, a drug researcher and the author of "The Antibiotic Paradox." "We've been trying to curb overuse of antibiotics for years."
Jo Natale, a spokeswoman for Wegman's, said her company did consider the issue of antibiotic overuse and decided to "trust that physicians will only prescribe medications when they are needed."
The free-antibiotics trend started in 2006 in Michigan with the Meijer store chain and since has been picked up by chains in numerous other states.
