Y2K raises prescription fears

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Y2K raises prescription fears

By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY

Like many Americans who depend on prescription drugs for survival, Bob Levine wants a bit of an extra stash in his medicine cabinet come December.

That way, he reasons, if there are Y2K computer problems, he'll still have his insulin and blood pressure medicines.

Yet that desire poses a problem for health insurers, policymakers and the pharmaceutical industry: How do they keep consumers from creating a run on pharmacies while allowing for a prescription "cushion" for people like Levine?

Efforts being made include:

Some pharmaceutical companies, which say they have spent more than $1.75 billion fixing potential Y2K problems, are boosting production, anticipating an end-of-the-year increase in purchases.

Health insurers are debating whether to relax the typical 30-day supply limit they place on prescription drugs.

Pharmaceutical industry leaders are fighting legislative efforts to require doctors or insurers to write 90-day prescriptions, saying such laws would be counterproductive.

Consumer advocates are working with policymakers on public service messages intended to get patients to prepare but not panic. "I think that every patient who requires prescription medication should be able to have a supply carrying them through the end of January," says Frank Reilly, consultant to the Senate's Y2K Committee. "I certainly think the system could handle that."

Other experts say a two-week supply is enough. Hoarding could be a problem.

"If everyone tries to get a six-month supply of drugs, then we empty our stock, and we have a bunch of people sitting on drugs they may not use," says Laurene West, a Salt Lake City-based consumer activist, who herself needs daily medication.

Levine, a 67-year-old retired businessman from Concord, Calif., says he'd feel comfortable with 30 extra days of medication. "I'm not an alarmist," he says. "But how would I feel if I don't have anything to test my blood sugar with and I don't know how much insulin to take? If I don't have my blood pressure medicine, then I'm out in left field without a glove."

But his HMO, like many, limits him to a 30-day prescription. And he can't afford the more than $600 a month his prescriptions would cost if he paid full retail price.

Later this month, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion will hold a pharmaceutical round table to look at what the industry has done to prepare. Drug manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are holding their own meetings, making sure computer systems will function and detailing contingency plans in case something goes awry.

One survey of generic drugmakers found some concern about international preparedness for Y2K problems, particularly because many generic drugs originate overseas.

A February survey by the U.S. drug industry's trade association said manufacturers were already 67% complete with fixing critical systems. "The companies will be ready," says Mark Grayson of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America.

Some drugmakers are boosting production. Eli Lilly , for example, intends to boost its stock of insulin by 50%, from a 30-day supply to a 45-day supply, says Mark Foglesong, general manager of U.S. manufacturing. Other Lilly products will have 40- to 90-day supplies.

Once a drug is manufactured, it is sent to wholesalers and retailers using a just-in-time ordering system that prevents excess inventory in the stores, Reilly says.

He's fairly confident major pharmaceutical companies will have systems in order, but he says there may be isolated problems with the supply chain, especially if there are power outages.

Industry experts say if consumers don't hoard medications, there will be enough to supply those areas where there may be spot problems.

"We've had experience in areas around the world where there have been disasters, such as earthquakes, and we've always been able to get the medicines to where they're needed," Grayson says.



-- Jackie (8749@juno.com), May 05, 1999

Answers

Hi All, I really think it is reasonable to have some store of perscription drugs you require to stay healthy. I have a 90 day supply which I rotate into stock each time I get a new perscription. That works well for me.

My insurance only allows a 30 day supply and would not pay for any more. I got around that by refilling each 22 days. My HMO figures that people refill on an irregular basis. That gave me an extra 8 days worth of pills each time. The insurance never had any trouble with that.

On my wife's pills, I got a separate perscription from my doctor for a 90 day supply. I had this filled at a different pharmacy and paid cash. It was an inexpensive drug.

I strongly recommend you have at least 30 days in back-up of any pill you require to stay healthy. Don't forget to rotate them in each time you get a new perscription. Hey, check out my rotation web page at http://www.srv.net/~jlayman/ I think you will like it.

-- Sincere (drug@dependent.com), May 05, 1999.


Thanks for the tip on the 22-day refill--very clever of you to figure that out.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 05, 1999.

another good option is to switch to a generic, even though your doctor may resist it. i take synthetic thyroid, and my doctor gave me a prescription for Synthroid because she was not familiar with the generics and then marked the space that said a generic would be acceptable. but the pharmacy refused to give me a generic, unless a specific brand was named. but they did give me information on popular generic brands and their prices.

armed with the info, i went back to the doctor and DEMANDED a prescription for Levoxyl, and got it. this stuff is a fraction of the price, but i had to stamp my feet to get it, as doctor says generic isn't as reliable (hogwash!).

with the low price of the generic, it doesn't matter about the insurance. i purchased a 100-day supply, on my own dime, and it only cost $15. i plan on having an extra 100 day supply at all times now.

-- jocelyne slough (jonslough@tln.net), May 06, 1999.


See also: Mexico report from Bingo1

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 08, 1999.

There are herbs to heal most anything. The only reason we don't know about them is because we've lost the knowledge over the last 50 years. Not the silly things sold in pill capsules. The actual plants themselves. There is information about how to use medicinal plants at http://www.drivezero.com/herbal/frameb/medherbsb.html

-- Alice Richmond (alicebrown@yahoo.com), May 11, 1999.


Interesting site

 Medicinal use of Herbs

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 11, 1999.


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