Ralphs Introduces $4 Generic Drugs

LOS ANGELES, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Starting today, Ralphs will begin offering pharmacy customers generic drugs for $4 per prescription at its stores in Southern California.

The $4 price will apply to hundreds of generic drugs prescribed for 30-day supplies and will be available at 90 pharmacies in Ralphs stores throughout Southern California. A list of the participating pharmacies and eligible generic drugs is available at http://www.ralphs.com/generic or by calling 1-877-4RX-LIST (1-877-479-5478).

Ralphs’ program includes generic alternatives for some of the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat conditions such as diabetes, asthma, depression, heart disease, thyroid and other health problems.

“We’re pleased to offer Ralphs customers an affordable alternative to meet their health and medication needs,” said Mike Donnelly, President of Ralphs. “Our customers can take advantage of low prices on generic drugs while continuing to rely on the expert, professional counsel of our pharmacists.”

Customers interested in these low-price generic drugs should consult their doctor or Ralphs pharmacist to determine if a generic drug is available for their prescription and is right for them. These $4 prescriptions are available in Ralphs pharmacies and for on-line and telephone orders for customers to pick up in a store.

“People wanting to take advantage of our generic drug program can easily make arrangements to transfer their prescriptions by calling participating Ralphs pharmacies,” Mr. Donnelly said.

Separately, Ralphs will offer generic versions of the family planning drugs Ortho Cyclen(R) and Ortho Tri Cyclen(R) (28-day supply) and a fertility drug for $9.

About Generic Drugs

Generic drugs are as safe and effective as brand name drugs (according to federal law, they must be therapeutically equivalent to brand name drugs) yet cost significantly less. After a company’s exclusive right to market a medication expires, other companies are allowed to develop generic equivalents — usually at a much lower cost.

About Ralphs

Ralphs, based in Los Angeles, was founded in 1873 and currently operates 266 supermarkets in California and employs 25,000 associates. In 2007, the company donated more than $10 million to the local communities it serves. Ralphs is a division of The Kroger Co., , one of the nation’s largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Ralphs, visit http://www.ralphs.com/.

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Ralphs

CONTACT: Terry O’Neil of Ralphs Grocery Company, +1-310-884-4680, orBrendon Cull of The Kroger Co., +1-513-762-1304

Web site: http://www.ralphs.com/