One litle temporary shortage of a prescription drug

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First the caveat: I have no evidence to believe this incident had anything to do with Y2K. However--I do believe it has everything to do with the JIT (Just in Time) delivery system adopted by virtually all businesses--including pharmacies--in this country.

I phoned in three prescription refills on Sunday and picked them up last night. Of the crucial medication I take for diabetes, there was only a 10-day supply. Actually, because my good doctor has doubled my scrip to allow me to stockpile some medication, to the pharmacist it would have looked like a five-day supply. I usually get a month of tablets at a time, as permitted by my medical insurance.

I called the pharmacist for an explanation of the shortage. Oh, we owe you another hundred tablets, she said. There should have been another bag with your name on it. She checked, and there was. On the day I called it in, she had only the equivalent of a five-day supply of vital diabetes medicine for me; more was delivered the next day. It being the eighth of the month when I called it in, I doubt the shortage was due to first-of-the-month-income-checks rush. And, besides, shouldn't the JIT system allow for that and have replacements in less than a week?

I didn't ask the pharmacist any more questions. With the insurance company policy of limiting prescription buying to a month at a time, I don't want to draw attention to myself!

I may be just lucky, but this partial filling of a prescription has never happened to me before. It certainly gave me a jolt. If I miss one of my twice daily tablets, I feel it within about two hours. I don't know, but can give an educated guess that without that medication I would be calling for the paramedics within 24 hours. Or somebody would; I might well be incapable by that time.

It could be that people are beginning to stash a little medication, just as I am. Or it might be the normal operation of JIT. But I have to consider: what if--there's always a what if, isn't there?--what if another Fran had blown through here on Monday (that proverbial three-day storm), preventing another delivery for several days--or a week? (It IS hurricane season.) Cuts it a bit too close, I think.

Talk to your doctor NOW, get your prescription doubled, let the system adjust now, rather than in December. . .

Carlos--I know you come on line later, hope you see this--let me know what you think.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 11, 1999

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 11, 1999

Answers

Old Git,

This is important and pertinent to y2k & preps. Additionally, disruptions can happen for a variety of reasons-- I hope that it is because others are trying to stock-up on meds because that would mean others are thinking preparedness and are likely preparing in other areas, as well.

I recall a medication shortage about 8 years ago of a rx my sister took (takes). A manufacturing problem leading to a supply problem, leading to only being able to get a few days' supply at a time for several months. ...

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), August 11, 1999.


Old Git...this happens to me about every other month. They always owe me. Its a pain in the butt too as I have to keep track of my meds plus my mother in law's and she has about 12 Rx. Drives me nuts! Our Rx are with Eckerd Drugs for your info. I think its just in time delivery OR the pharmacy just not keeping up with the ordering. The same pharmacy has given me the wrong meds on occassion and also wrong dosage. I have to watch 'em like a hawk. Taz

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), August 11, 1999.

If you check the responses to an identical thread started on the Classic Forum, you'll find that this is pretty normal. It's outrageous. I checked on shelf-lives not too long ago and was told most drugs have a shelf-life of from 2-4 years. I don't always go to the same pharmacy and I notice they all have plenty of space on their shelves so it's not a space problem. Mine is a well-stablished drug and diabetes isn't going away. In fact, cases are increasing as the boomers reach Type II Diabetes age--not a surprise to anyone in the medical field.

I don't see there's a whole lot anyone can do right now, except circumvent the system by getting a double prescription where possible.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 11, 1999.


Old Git...

This is one of my major concerns. My wife has been insulin dependant for several years now. She is up to 4 injections a day. She has just recently begun to GI and may be prepared to adjust her prescription regime.

I have heard of the Mexico Rx connection, but we live in Oregon so... I have also tried to find some definitive information on Jerusalem Artichoke (sp?) as an emergency source of insulin, but I don't know which camp to believe. Can you help.

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), August 11, 1999.


Old Git. The same thing has happened to me. I take Prednisone for Ulcerative colitis. Prednisone is a very common drug, used for many problems. The last time I called in for a refill I got 15 pills instead of my usual 220. The rest of the pills came in the next day. Several friends have said the same thing has happened to them, with different meds. We have one Drug Store in our town of 5,000- Longs. I am really worried about their small invantory.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), August 12, 1999.


Old Git, see my reply on the other forum. Hope it helps a bit.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), August 12, 1999.

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