Delhaize Chains Discount Generics

DAN ALAIMO

LAS VEGAS — U.S. chains owned by Brussels-based Delhaize Group, including Sweetbay Supermarkets, Hannaford Bros., Food Lion and Harveys Supermarkets, have launched discount generic drug programs, SN learned during last week's Supermarket Pharmacy Conference of the Food Marketing Institute here.

Hannaford, Scarborough, Maine, and Sweetbay, Tampa, Fla., launched their programs earlier this year, said Pam Heath, pharmacy director at Sweetbay, while Food Lion, Salisbury, N.C., started last week, according to its website. Harveys, also in Salisbury, launched its program months ago. The Sweetbay program is called “Healthy Saver” and covers more than 400 drugs, priced at $4 for a 30-day supply, or $10.99 for a 90-day supply. The programs at the other Delhaize banners are similar, although Harveys does not offer a 30-day option.

Hannaford and Sweetbay, which launched the program in January and February, respectively — along with Bashas', Chandler, Ariz., which has long offered a 90-day generics program — were in the market long before Wal-Mart's much-publicized announcement of a 90-day supply for $10 last week. Walgreen Co., Deerfield, Ill., sells a 90-day supply of generics for $12.99.

“We wanted to impact people who are on maintenance medications, and a 90-day supply is really most advantageous to that patient,” Heath told SN.