On the heels of a similar move made by Wal-Mart last week, The Kroger Co. yesterday said it will expand its generic drug program with lower prices and additional drug choices.

The retailer is offering 90-day prescriptions for $10 on its expanded generic drug program; its pharmacies are also increasing the number of women's health medications offered at a discounted price.

The latest incarnation of Kroger's discounted prescription program, which is available at all of its stores nationwide, expands on the effort the chain bowed last year offering $4 prescriptions for more than 300 generic drugs prescribed in 30-day supplies.

Kroger is touting its discount drug scheme as being complementary with several other programs it's offering to help consumers stretch their household budgets, including:
- A tax relief gift card program that offers customers free groceries when they turn their economic stimulus checks or direct deposits into Kroger gift cards.
- Ongoing fuel rewards programs offered in Kroger's family of stores.
- An extensive line of attractively priced private label products

"Our expanded generic drug program is another example of the many ways we at Kroger are making it easier for customers to stretch their dollars farther for the staples they need for their families," said Don McGeorge, Kroger's president/c.o.o. "Our customers can continue to rely on the expert health counsel and friendly service Kroger's team of professional pharmacists consistently offer."

Kroger is also increasing the number of women's health medications it offers at a discounted price. Available for $9 in 30-day supplies or $24 for a 90-day supply, the specialized medications include drugs such as tamoxifen (breast cancer), combination estrogen/methyltestosterone (hormone replacement) and Alendronate, the generic version of osteoporosis medication Fosamax.

Kroger operates some 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners.