http://infoseek.go.com/Content?arn=a1785rittz-19990819&qt=%22year+2000%22+bug*+glitch*+y2k&sv=IS&lk=noframes&col=NX&kt=A&ak=news1486

A notable snip:

``Overbuying is the only threat,'' said Phillip Schneider, spokesman for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Compare that with this paragraph from an article that appeared on the front page of The Washington Post on June 28th about D.C.'s eighty-eight (88) Y2K contingency plans:

An extra 30 to 60 days' worth of pharmaceuticals is being ordered, and up to 90 days' worth of other basic supplies  from bottled water to bandages  is being purchased. The cost to the city just for the contingency planning, excluding the basic Y2K repairs, is about $4 million.

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), August 20, 1999

Answers

[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

FEATURE-Drug industry moves to calm Y2K fears

10:04 p.m. Aug 19, 1999 Eastern

By Susan Nadeau

CHICAGO, Aug. 20 (Reuters) - While others worry about the Y2K bug infecting computers, the drug and health care products industry is grappling with the possibility that panicky consumers could cause shortages as 2000 nears.

After years of work to ensure computers used in everything from manufacturing lines to ordering channels will function when the clock turns to Jan. 1, 2000, drug and health product providers are confident their systems are in good shape.

But the final unknown is the consumer. The fear is that last-minute, panic-induced prescription filling and product hoarding could clear pharmacy shelves as 2000 approaches.

``Overbuying is the only threat,'' said Phillip Schneider, spokesman for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

The Year 2000 or Y2K date change is a hazard for older computer systems that recognise the year by the last two digits, such as 99 for 1999. Left uncorrected, systems could read 2000 as 1900 and crash. Computers are used in all areas of the pharmaceutical industry including research and development, manufacturing, ordering and distribution.

The Pharmaceutical Alliance for Y2K Readiness, a consortium of trade groups including the NACDS and the American Medical Association, will launch a Web site this month providing Y2K information for consumers -- and advising against stockpiling.

DRUG HOARDING 'WOULD THROW THE SYSTEM OUT OF WHACK'

``If everyone were to get an extra month, it would throw (the system) out of whack,'' said Mark Grayson, spokesman for the drug industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which is also part of the alliance. ``Once the medications are in somebody's medicine cabinet, they're obviously not available to anybody else.''

Eli Lilly and Co., which sells some of America's biggest drugs such as antidepressant Prozac and schizophrenia drug Zyprexa and is a major provider of insulin, is urging patient groups such as the American Diabetes Association to help guide their members.

``It's probably inevitable that some of that (overbuying) will occur but we also believe that information can keep that to a minimum,'' said Robert Grupp, Lilly's spokesman on Y2K issues. ``Informed patients will be prudent patients.''

Baxter International Inc., which provides an array of products including home-based dialysis systems and haemophilia therapy Recombinate, asked wholesalers to place any extra orders by July 1 to cover contingency plans and expected consumer buying sprees. Baxter received fewer than 250 extra orders, a surprisingly small number, and a spokeswoman said the company is recontacting its clients.

PLAN IN EFFECT TO PREVENT PANIC

A spokeswoman for AmeriSource Health Corp., the fourth largest U.S. wholesale pharmaceutical distributor, said the company expected pharmacies to obtain about an extra week's worth of stock near the end of the year and has started to build its own inventory in preparation.

``There is an industry-wide communications plan in place to prevent a panic, to prevent hoarding,'' Marybeth Alvin said, adding that the company did expect some additional demand in December and January.

In late July, information technology research firm Odin Group, along with 40 health care companies, compiled a 24-page booklet advising a common-sense approach to date-change fears. For example, prescriptions should be refilled as always when the supply drops to five to seven days, health records should be maintained and a first aid kit should be well-stocked.

``All the research we've been able to collect indicates the industry is in very good shape and there really isn't a lot of reason for concern by individual consumers,'' Daniel Nutkis, chairman of the Odin Group, said.

At least one major health insurance provider plans to send the brochure to all of its clients, and companies such as Lilly and Baxter have ordered copies as well. (LLY.N) (BAX.N) (AAS.N)

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), August 20, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

I thought through some questions that I wanted to ask my pharmacist about their Y2K preparations. I only got as far as the first one before he let out a big belly laugh and said loudly, "Y2K?! Lady... it ain't gonna happen!" Then he turned around dramatically and walked away. End of discussion. Even my water service was more forthcoming that that.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), August 20, 1999.