I subscribe to Second Opinion, an "alternative medicine" newsletter written by Dr. William Campbell Douglas. Several issues ago in a parenthetical phrase he mentioned Y2K and told his subscribers to take it seriously. This months issue features it prominently. He explains that medical equipment such as heart monitors, respirators, CAT scanners and dialysis machines could be affected, and quotes USA Today as saying that date-calibrated radiation equipment could administer overdoses to cancer patients. He discusses Robert Bennets report to the senate committee about the lack of preparation of the manufacturers of medical devices, and the fact that most of the companies have twice ignored FDA requests to report which of their devices are not compliant. Dr. Douglas says Medicare and Medicaid wont function if the computers dont work, and says you should be checking out alternative "low-tech" ways of dealing with your health problems. He recommends finding a doctor who practices alternative medicine, stocking up on medicines that cant be replaced by herbs, buying medical supplies like hydrogen peroxide, aspirin, etc., and he gives several other pieces of advice. He recommends educating yourself about Y2K and finishes by saying, "Dont be left in the dark. The time to act is now." Slowly, slowly, the word spreads.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), April 05, 1999

Answers

Husband went to his shrink today and expressed his worries about what Y2K could do to his ability to get his meds. Doctor says he thinks its' all bunk(!!) but he did double his daily doses so he can start stashing meds ahead. Will be sure and inquire on the expiration dates when filling.

-- mutti (windance @train.missouri.org), April 05, 1999.

Most medicines that are fresh can be stored for periods of at least a year. Kept out of the light in cool temperatures with low humidity they are fine. Medicines put into a quart mason jar with 3 tablespoons of dry milk powder wrapped in a paper towel as a dessicant remain good.

-- charlie (cstewart@ime.net), April 06, 1999.

I suggest everyone who feels that there will be disruptions better get their medications stocked up (being careful with expiry dates of course).

This JIT delivery bottleneck is absolutely ludicrous. I use a fairly common ointment and only use moderate quantities. Twice, in the last four times I've gone to get it, one of the major pharmacies in our town has been out of it. One of the other times, they were able to give me only 50 of the 100 grams. They told me to come back the next day for the other 50 grams. When I went back, they only had 30 grams for me and told me to try the next day for the final 20 grams. It was absolutely pathetic. It showed me that the actual amount of stock they have is virtually nothing!

If the daily truck doesn't arrive, they're hurting real bad.

If you have any medications that you just have to have, just be aware that JIT delivery is not your friend, and plan accordingly.

-- Craig (craig@ccinet.ab.ca), April 06, 1999.