As we approach the end of 1999, we hear this question more and more. The medical industry has been working to assess the impacts of the year 2000 change throughout this past year. Our primary concern has been the availability of prescription drugs at the beginning of the year.

The source of all prescription medications are the drug manufacturers. The Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem recognized the pharmaceutical industry as the best prepared of the healthcare segments for year 2000. Several manufacturers have taken steps to increase their inventories by up to an additional four weeks and to monitor purchases and limit them to average orders to avoid the impacts of "hoarding."

About 80% of all prescription drugs are distributed through drug wholesalers. Our primary wholesaler has been working with government preparedness groups to assure their own readiness. The greatest risk to an adequate supply of medications is hoarding. The cost of an additional 30-day supply for the entire pharmaceutical supply system is $9.4 billion. Assuming that 20% of this inventory could not be returned or recycled, $2 billion would be wasted. These costs would most likely result in reduced abilities to provide care to those segments that need it most, the poor and the elderly, and would be passed on to the consumer in increased prices. More importantly, hoarding could cause a shift in available drugs to fewer outlets causing a disruption in the flow of drugs to other areas.

Our recommendation regarding year-end prescription supplies is that of the preparedness council—refill your prescription when you have a 5 to 7 day supply remaining. Do not fill prescriptions for larger than normal quantities, as this activity poses the largest threat to an adequate supply of drugs for everyone. Ask your pharmacist if they have had any problems acquiring your medication before the year end approaches to give them time to address the problem before January. We are confident our industry is one of the best prepared to avoid disruption in the drug supply. What we are most concerned about is the possibility of outlets or patients hoarding drugs at year end that will choke off the supply to the whole system.

If you would like more information, visit these sites on the Internet:

www.y2k.gov
www.ama-assn.org
www.cardinal-health.com

TAOS PHARMACY BELIEVES IN PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. WE HOPE TO CALM YOUR FEARS ABOUT Y2K.

WATCH FOR NEW TESTS AVAILABLE AT TAOS PHARMACY INCLUDING: HORMONE TESTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN, BONE LOSS ANALYSIS, SLEEP RHYTHM PROFILES, AND PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN. WE BELIEVE SCREENING FOR HEALTH RISKS IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE, LEAST EXPENSIVE AND UNDERUTILIZED MEASURES TO REDUCE DISEASE. THESE CAN BE ESPECIALLY VALUABLE TO THOSE PERSONS WHO DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU ASSESS YOUR RISK AND AVOID EXPENSIVE ILLNESS.

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