Who would have thought that some prescription meds would become popular loss leaders? Now, though, the Publix supermarket chain is offering 14-day supplies of seven antibiotics for free at all of its 684 pharmacies in five states, even if a customer has health insurance that would pay. And there’s no limit on the number of scrips a customer can fill.

The antibiotics available are amoxicillin, cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, penicillin VK, ampicillin and erythromycin, the Associated Press reports. Most Publix stores are in Florida, but others are located in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. In other words, a big swath of the Southeast.

Publix joins joins other big retailers offering discounted drug programs, including Target and Wal-Mart, in hopes of drawing more shoppers into their stores to buy other merchandise after filling a scrip. Wal-Mart is selling some generics for $4. Publix, however, is the first large regional chain to offer certain meds at no cost.

The gambit may make Publix a very popular destination. Florida has about 3.6 million uninsured people and many others who have some insurance but no coverage for prescription drugs, according to Andrew Agwunobi, secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. “So I hope (Publix stores) are ready,” Agwunobi tells the AP, predicting a heavy response.

Here are the canned statements:

“With health care and prescription costs on the rise, our free prescription drug program will reinforce our commitment to the total health and wellness of our customers and their families,” says Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens.

“Health and wellness is crucial to every Floridian’s quality of life and paramount to the vitality of our state,” says Florida governor Charlie Crist said. “We appreciate great partners like Publix Super Markets working to further provide affordability and accessibility to quality prescription drugs for working families and seniors.”