LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets Inc. is providing free metformin to patients with type II diabetes as part of a new diabetes management program.

The food and drug retailer said Monday that the initiative is a multi-pronged program aimed at helping customers and associates living with diabetes manage their medication as well as providing assistance with compliance, monitoring, education, nutrition and exercise.

In the first phase, the program will offer diabetic patients free, generic, immediate-release metformin (500 mg, 850 mg or 1,000 mg), the generic form of the drug Glucophage. Patients also will have access to online resources along with counsel from Publix pharmacists.

Publix pharmacy customers also will have all their maintenance medications enrolled into the Auto Refill program, in which a reminder call to the telephone number on file is placed to customers when prescriptions are ready for pickup.

In addition, an online library of diabetes-related content — including educational articles, interactive tools for risk assessments, quizzes, podcasts and videos — will be available at www.publix.com/diabetes. The retailer said it’s also encouraging customers to sign up for a monthly e-newsletter with diabetes-related articles, a featured recipe of the month, and special offers from Publix and Publix Pharmacy. Included in the program is a voucher for a free Publix-brand glucose meter.

"As both a supermarket and pharmacy, Publix is the ideal setting in which to promote healthy living, " stated Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous. "We are uniquely positioned to educate our customers and associates on the nutritional aspects of living with diabetes. As a grocer of choice for so many, we saw an opportunity to better serve the health and maintain the wellness of those leaning to live with and manage their diabetes."

Publix operates over 1,000 supermarkets, including more than 800 in-store pharmacies, in five Southeastern states.