Wegmans Offering Free Cholesterol Drug

For a limited time, Wegmans Food Markets will provide free prescriptions for Atorvastatin, the generic version of cholesterol drug Lipitor, up to a 90-tablet supply at no charge. The offer, which runs from Aug. 26, 2012, to April 27, 2013, will apply to both new and refill prescriptions.

At the same time, the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer will end a program of free generic oral antibiotic prescriptions, but will shift those medications to its list of generic $4 prescriptions, so that customers can still afford them.

“We selected a drug that treats high cholesterol, because we are uniquely positioned to bring drug therapy and healthy eating together,” explained Colleen Wegman, president of Wegmans. “A drug that helps people to improve and maintain their health dovetails beautifully with our mission of helping people live healthier, better lives through healthy eating and activity.”

Added Wegman: “We hope this program helps customers better cope with those expenses. If we can also get folks to eat more veggies, we will have something to really celebrate.”

Family-owned Wegmans operates 80 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. A new location, in Crofton, Md., is scheduled to make its debut on Oct. 28.