Wegmans Food Markets Inc. said Tuesday it will not charge customers for generic oral antibiotic prescriptions through the traditional cough-and-cold season.

The Rochester-based grocery chain said the promotion, for customers who have a Shoppers Club card, will be available from Jan. 7 through March 31. Officials estimate the policy will save customers $1 million.

“A few months ago we began to lower prices on hundreds of food products in anticipation of lower costs in 2009,” said a statement from Colleen Wegman, president. “There’s been such a tremendous response, it triggered discussion about other ways we could help customers and employees save.”

The program covers up to a 14-day supply of the generic oral antibiotics listed below. There are no limits on the number of prescriptions that can be filled. The list of available medications covers both new prescriptions and refills including:

• Amoxicillin

• Cephalexin

• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

• Ciprofloxacin (excluding Ciprofloxacin XR)

• Penicillin VK

• Ampicillin

• Tetracycline

• Erythromycin Stearate and Ethylsuccinate

• Doxycycline Hyclate (capsules)

Wegmans operates 72 stores in New York state, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.

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