Have you talked with your pharmacist lately?

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A very recent article in Information Week stated that Long's Drugs (which purchased Drug Emporium up here in the Northwest) reduced it's pharmacy inventory from 24 days to 11 days. They used over-50% reduction to purchase another batch of stores.

What's pharmacist's inventory?

-- Karen Cook (browsercat@yerf.net), March 15, 1999

Answers

Karen, I'm not a pharmacist, but it would appear that they used the 50% stock or money for that 50% worth of stock to purchase or supply the new store chain they acquired.

That means, if the drug suppliers (manufacturers) were to have a problem shipping drugs to these stores, they (the drug stores) would be able to meet an average 11 days of filling prescriptions instead of filling prescriptions for 24 days (based on average or typical prescription fills per day).

Not a good scenario if there is, say, a panic to get refills done or a problem with the drug manufacturers or suppliers.

Mr. K

-- Mr. Kennedy (highh@home.com), March 15, 1999.


Karen,

In spite of their "average" inventory reduction, some medications sit around a lot longer. Ask to see the expiry date on their supply bottle. It may differ significantly amoung pharmacies in your area. Buy only the latest expiry date and write it on the bottle that you take home.

Best wishes,

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 15, 1999.


I talked to a pharmacist friend recently, he said the chain pharmacy have more problems. Thrifty chain has very low supply. Not good. The independent pharmacy overall may do a little better. Those who are counting on year end to get refills will be disappointed. The major manufacturer of insulin is from Europe and some suspect they are behind in remediation. Also, remember you cannot get your refill too early because of expiration date, which is another reason why people better learn how to use natural supplements. In my research, there are supplements that may help almost every ailment. Many have had double-blind tests done on them. EX. CMO for arthritis, rheumatism, prostate enlargement...

-- Ray (kcorner67@hotmail.com), March 15, 1999.

My wife is a pharmacist at CVS, and here's what she said:

Supplies are slowly being lowered. She now routinely runs out of certain types of drugs at least a day or 2 before the weekly resupply run: anti-depressant/anti-psychotic drugs (Prozac/Ritalin, etc), and insulin. Others may last longer, but stock is still too low.

Dunno if it's due to reduced availability of drugs, or lowered inventory at warehouse, or what.

Regardless, don't wait til the last minute to stock up.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 17, 1999.


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