 |
 |
I see a lot of interest here on this topic. For those who tuned in late, there is a possibility of year 2000 computer glitches interrupting the supply to us of PD meds, with interruptions occuring potentially anywhere in the long the chain of computer-assisted processes starting with obtaining the raw materials, to manufacture, warehousing, inventory, ordering, delivery, dispensing, etc. I tried to suggest a few ways we might act to respond to this possiblity, such as getting the attention of senators on the special senate committee that is addressing the year 2000 problems, asking your pharmacist how to contact corporate headquarters, keeping informed, etc. Other sectors have been in the year 2000 problem spotlight lately - hospitals, air controllers, the stock market, Medicare, IRS, etc. Not so with pharmaceuticals. Some businesses have added to their web pages a year 2000 info status, probably in an effort to keep stockholders and customers assured, or just to keep customers, period. There's no such thing among the pharmaceutical web pages, which suggests to me that they have nothing to crow about. The FDA is concentrating on medical equipment problems. The senate special committee also. Pharmaceuticals and their distributors have so far escaped attention. We need to get public, government and even stockholder attention focused on the potential for disruption of the availability of prescription drugs to the point of first flushing out better info on whether and how much of a problem there could be, then getting pressure to accellerate getting the problems fixed. So may I further suggest letters to newspaper editors, raising the issue with NPF, APDA, PDF (as Bob Dolezol suggested), expressing concern to your own senators and congresspersons, and also, since just everyone in the U.S. takes prescription drugs of some form or other, getting as many people as you know interested and involved. Also, does anyonw know of someone who works in that industry who might have some inside info on year 2000 status there? Phil Tompkins Hoboken NJ 60/9 Phil Tompkins