WTHR |Marsh offering free prenatal vitamins

Marsh offering free prenatal vitamins

Anne Marie Tiernon/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A new program at Marsh is offering expectant mothers prenatal vitamins at no cost.

Prenatal vitamins are a high volume item at pharmacies, which is an intensely competitive market. And no doubt with the new program, the hope is expectant mothers will come for the free stuff month after month, leave with a cart full of items you purchased, and deliver a healthy baby.

Jenny Johnson got what every pregnant woman ultimately wants - a healthy child. When carrying Trey and her two other children Jenny diligently took prenatal vitamins.

"I think it's hugely important you never know what is going to happen in the deliver room," said Johnson.

"Any patient who is thinking about becoming pregnant should start taking prenatal vitamins it's good to get the vitamins on board beforehand they prevent birth defects and helps your baby's development," said Dr. James Noland, St. Vincent Center for Women's Health.

The vital vitamins are at the core of a new Marsh program aimed at attracting more customers to it's in-store pharmacy counters.

"When you think of a pharmacy chain most everyone will mention names like CVS or Walgreens, especially for a place like Marsh or Kroger you have to dig out your niche," said Amy Peak, Butler School of Pharmacy.

For Marsh it's mothers. Starting Thursday, all stores will dispense free prescription prenatal vitamins.

"This program is good for a year basically on their prescriptions," said Marsh pharmacy manager Kellie Fryling. "So you are talking they could save over $200 even if they do have prescription insurance they are still going to have co-pays of $10 or $20 dollars, so it's still savings over the course of a year."

The loss leaders are the results of a partnership between manufacturer Ethex and Marsh on these three items - Natal Care Plus, Advance Natal Care and Natatab RX.

This reminder sign near the over the counter options informs of the no cost alternative.

"The over the counter prenatal vitamins simply have less folic acid in them," said Dr. Noland. "The prescription strength has 1mg of folic acid and that is recommended daily allowance for a pregnant patient."

All in a daily pill that offers assurance that a mother is doing her part for her baby's health, and saving money before the baby and bills that follow are due.

If you get your vitamins from another pharmacy, you can have your prescription transferred to Marsh. Or if you are on another brand, the pharmacist will at your request call your doctor to see if this prescription would work for you.

Free Prenatal Vitamins at Marsh