RALEIGH -- Starting today, North Carolina Kroger pharmacies will offer a 30-day supply of more than 300 generic drugs for $4, matching similar initiatives from rivals Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart.

The pharmacies also will offer the generic versions of family planning drugs Ortho Cyclen and Ortho Tri Cyclen for $9.

The change affects all 126 stores in six states owned by Kroger Mid-Atlantic, including the 18 in this market. Some Kroger stores in other areas of the country have already launched the $4 generic program. Customers can access the full list of drugs available at www.kroger.com/generic or by calling (877) 479-5478.

Franklin Regional part of deal

LOUISBURG -- Novant Health, a Winston-Salem hospital chain, bought a minority interest in seven Carolinas hospitals owned by a Florida company, including Franklin Regional Medical Center in Louisburg.

Novant paid $300 million for a 27 percent interest in the seven facilities owned by Health Management Associates, a publicly traded company in Naples, Fla.

In November, Franklin Regional officials announced plans to join with Rex Healthcare of Raleigh to build a replacement hospital for Franklin County in Youngsville, near the Wake County line.