Pharmaceutical industry on track for Y2K compliance
Pharmaceutical industry on track for Y2K compliance
With the year 2000 just a few months away, the Pharmaceutical Alliance for Y2K Readiness says the greatest threat to the drug stream is panicky consumers who could cause shortages of vital drugs such as insulin.
The Alliance, consisting of 18 professional organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the National Consumers League, says the pharmaceutical industry is well-prepared for any contingencies that might occur on Jan. 1, 2000. "We do not anticipate problems in meeting the demands of customers for prescription medicines during the Y2K transition," the Alliance said in a statement published on its Web site.
"We know more now than we did earlier this year about what could happen, and there are alternative ways around those areas if there should be a break in the system," says Susan Winckler, RPh, group director of policy and advocacy for the American Pharmaceutical Association in Washington, DC.
In April, Diabetes Management reported that the country’s two insulin producers were issuing reassuring messages while some organizations, such as the American Pharmaceutical Association and at least one major mail-order source of prescription drugs were recommending that patients get a month ahead on their medications.
Drug companies said they were concerned about their support structures like water and power supplies from surrounding municipalities and power companies, but they said those problems now have been adequately addressed.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the pharmaceutical industry’s Y2K plans are complete and adequate. The regulatory agency’s Y2K statement says, "As a result of concerns related to Y2K, some consumers have discussed the need to stockpile or hoard drugs to ensure availability. This is not necessary. The FDA is surveying the pharmaceutical industry to show that the so-called year 2000 computer concerns will not affect the supply or availability of drug products. The pharmaceutical industry has put controls into place, which will ensure that a steady supply of medicine will continue to be available."
"Overbuying is the only threat," says Phillip Schneider, spokesman for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Alexandria, VA, an Alliance member that represents 31,000 of approximately 50,000 chain drug stores in the United States. Patients are advised not to stockpile prescription drugs and to refill their prescriptions as usual when they have a five- to seven-day supply remaining.
Some manufacturers increased production last summer in anticipation of extra orders, but industry leaders say there has been very little extra demand at this point.
"There’s been an increased amount of information released by manufacturers and wholesalers about their preparedness plans, and it now appears that there is no need to overbuy or stock up on medications beforehand," says Winckler.
Eli Lilly and Co. of Indianapolis, one of the country’s two suppliers of insulin, says 99% of its product is manufactured near its headquarters. Lilly says it has reviewed readiness of all suppliers and developed backup plans.
The other insulin supplier, Novo Nordisk of New York, manufactures insulin at its plant in Clayton, NC. Novo says its Y2K preparation were 98% complete in August and expected to be completely in place by the end of September.
[Philip Schneider can be reached at (703) 549-3001 and Susan Winckler at (202) 429-7533.]
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