Have you heard about the Publix meds list? The Publix supermarket chain isn’t the cheapest store to buy groceries, but it may be the cheapest place to fill some common prescription drugs.
If you live near a Publix Pharmacy, you’ve probably seen the TV ads or heard the radio commercials about its free and low-cost generic medication program, including a 90-day supply for $7.50.
Publix Meds List: Is It Cheaper Than Using GoodRx Coupons?
For this article, I researched the medications available on Publix’s meds list and used the GoodRx prescription savings app to see if other pharmacies near my home in Florida offered an even lower price.
Here are the key findings:
- In most cases, Publix had the lowest price for the generic drugs that are part of its program.
- The runner-up was usually Walmart or Winn-Dixie Pharmacy, another regional grocery store chain.
- GoodRx sometimes showed a higher price for Publix than what you would pay using Publix’s free and low-cost medication program.
My price comparison below includes all of the medications on Publix’s meds list when I collected the data in December 2019. In many cases, multiple dosages are eligible for the cheap price. However, I had to select only one dose to compare the Publix price with GoodRx.
To make it easier for you to find the medication that you’re looking for, I’ve sorted the prescription drugs by type. You can use the quick links below to advance to a specific type of medication.
Publix Meds List: Free Medication Program
SUMMARY: Publix’s free meds list is short, but the price can’t be beat. It includes several high blood pressure and diabetes medications, plus antibiotics. According to Publix’s website, you can get up to a 90-day supply of maintenance medications and 14 days for antibiotics. When I used GoodRx to compare prices, the prescription discount app never displayed the free Publix price and instead offered coupons where you would have to pay out-of-pocket. If you take any of the meds on the free list, save money by transferring your prescription to Publix.
High Blood Pressure
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Amlodipine 2.5 mg, 90 count | Free | $10.71 (Winn-Dixie) $10.71 (Benzer Pharmacy) $13.89 (Publix) |
| Lisinopril 20 mg, 30 count | Free | $4.00 (Winn-Dixie) $6.31 (Publix) |
Diabetes
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Lisinopril 20 mg, 30 count | Free | $4.00 (Winn-Dixie) $6.31 (Publix) |
| Metformin 500 mg, 60 count | Free | $3.84 (Winn-Dixie) $4.37 (Publix) |
Antibiotics
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin 21 capsules | Free | $3.99 (Winn-Dixie) $6.04 (Walgreens) |
| Ampicillin 21 capsules | Free | $9.01 (Walmart) $9.17 (CVS / Target) |
| SMZ-TMP 20 tablets | Free | $6.65 (Winn-Dixie) $6.65 (Publix) $8.39 (Walgreens) |
| Penicillin VK 21 tablets | Free | $10.06 (Publix) $10.62 (Winn-Dixie) |
Publix Meds List: 90 Days for $7.50 Program
SUMMARY: Publix offers a 90-day supply of two dozen prescription drugs for just $7.50, which works to $2.50 a month. For the price comparison with GoodRx, I selected one dose and quantity for each drug. If you take a different dose, it may also be covered as part of the program. Read the fine print on Publix’s website to find out. In nearly all cases, GoodRx’s coupons weren’t able to beat Publix’s $7.50 price. However, it’s worth noting that GoodRx typically displayed the $7.50 Publix price in its results.
Heart Health/Cardiovascular
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Clonidine 0.1 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $8.99 (Costco) |
| Clopidogrel 75 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $16.36 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Furosemide 20 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $9.99 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Hydralazine 10 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $4.00 (Walmart) $7.50 (Publix) |
| Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $6.64 (CVS / Target) $7.45 (Publix) |
| Jantoven (Warfarin) 5 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.25 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Metoprolol Tartrate 25 mg, 180 count | $7.50 | $46.04 (Winn-Dixie) $55.45 (Publix) |
| Triamterene-HCTZ 37.5–25 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) |
Diabetes
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Glimepiride 4 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) $10.00 (Walmart) |
Cholesterol
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Simvastatin 20 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $9.99 (Winn-Dixie) |
Mental Health
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Amitriptyline HCL 25 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Walmart) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Buspirone 10 mg, 180 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Walmart) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Sertraline 100 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $14.35 (Winn-Dixie) |
Seizure Disorders
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Topiramate 50 mg, 180 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $18.64 (Winn-Dixie) |
Parkinson’s Disease
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Ropinirole 1 mg, 180 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $23.79 (Winn-Dixie) |
Alzheimer’s Disease
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Donepezil 10 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $13.80 (Winn-Dixie) |
Osteoporosis
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Alendronate 70 mg, 12 | $7.50 | $12.64 (Publix) $13.53 (Winn-Dixie) |
Gout
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Allopurinol 300 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) |
Arthritis/Pain
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Meloxicam 15 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $9.99 (Winn-Dixie) |
Gastrointestinal
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Omeprazole 20 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $12.06 (Winn-Dixie) |
| Ranitidine 150 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $13.03 (Winn-Dixie) |
Asthma & Allergies
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine HCL 10 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.74 (Costco) $10.37 (Walmart) |
Men’s Health
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Tamsulosin 0.4 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $24.82 (Winn-Dixie) |
Women’s Health
| Drug name | Publix | GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| Estradiol 1 mg, 90 count | $7.50 | $7.50 (Publix) $10.00 (Winn-Dixie) |
Final Thought
Publix’s free and low-cost meds list is another great way to lower your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, whether you have insurance or not. For some of the drugs I researched, Publix gives GoodRx a run for its money!
Here’s my advice:
- If you live near a Publix Pharmacy and take any of the drugs on the list, transfer your prescription to Publix. It will most likely have the lowest price. If you want to be 100% sure, go to GoodRx.com and search nearby pharmacies for discounts.
- Don’t currently take any of the meds on the Publix list? Print it out or store a copy of it on your phone. If your doctor wants to prescribe you something down the road, refer them to the Publix list and ask if any of those drugs would treat your symptoms.
- If you don’t live near a Publix Pharmacy, look into similar programs at retailers near you. For example, Walmart has its own $4 and $10 prescription program that’s available nationwide.
- Search for the lowest prices using GoodRx and RxSaver. These free tools find prescription drug discounts and coupons for all types of medications. Even with insurance, the GoodRx and RxSaver prices may be lower. Learn more about how these apps work here.
YOUR TURN: Do you have any tips to lower your prescription drug costs? Share them with me in the comments below!
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