Pharmaceutical Shortages

I have 2 boys ages 5 and 6 who nearly since birth have been diagnosed with acute asthma. When they were younger we used a nebulizer machine with Albuterol and a saline solution. As theyve gotten older weve been able to start using inhalers. We live in the North Dallas area and this last week weve been trying to get new inhalers from the Kroger pharmacy. After a couple of days of trying I went up there with my wife to see what was going on. I talked with the pharmacist about the delay. It turns out that theyve been unable to get any Albuterol inhalers for a couple of weeks and wont be receiving any until February next year. This really surprised me since these inhalers are pretty common and widely used. I asked if it was just the Zenith Goldline Company makers of out last round of inhalers or across the board. The pharmacist replied that it was difficult to get Albuterol inhalers from any manufacture. The pharmacist is trying to work with our pediatrician to find a substitute that our insurance will cover. I know we could try other pharmacies but getting the insurance setup is time consuming so well give Krogers a little time.

My wife who is a tolerant DGI was really surprised when we talked about it later. I told her that I wasnt really surprised. That either companies were limiting theyre shipments or were having problems with manufacturing. This really upset her as this is prime asthma season for our 2 boys. Last year we were in the emergency room with the 6 year old, because he was turning blue from an attack. She asked what we were going to. I informed her that I had for the past year been stock piling the Albuterol for the nebulizer. When she asked how, I informed her that after each trip wed taken over the past year. When we returned Id call the pediatrician and request a refill claiming that wed lost the last one. As such I think we have a 6 month supply. I think this is the first time my preps over the past 18 months have finally made sense to her. We spent a little longer discussing the other medical preps that we have. She was very surprised that I had supplies of the main 3 antibiotics that the pediatrician had prescribed over the last year. She still isnt a GI but I saw twinkling of understanding in her eyes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year every one!!

M/C

-- Mitch Callis (mcallis@waymark.net), December 19, 1999

Answers

Good for you, Mitch!

It's encouraging to hear that other people's preparations are paying off. It's tough to be one of the few trying to prepare, while everyone else snickers.

-- Clyde (clydeblalock@hotmail.com), December 19, 1999.

Mitch, on my Mountain Y2k website I've got a whole page on battery backups for nebulizers and other Y2k tips for those with asthma. You might want to check it out.

-- Firemouse (firemouse@fcmail.com), December 19, 1999.

I too have asthma. I ocassionally use a natural remedy when I have a reaction.

I take a one or two ounce dose of Hot Sauce. (liquid cyanne pepper sauce, comes in a little shaker bottle for less than a dollar)

I found years ago that a tablespoon of it would help "clear my sinus" when hay fever hits. Then, last year I had an acute asthma reaction to mildew, two in the morning and no other medication on hand. So I drank a shot glass of the stuff, and felt relief almost immediately, back to normal in 30 min.

Be warned, young children probably can not drink pure hot sauce, but adults should have no problem.

This works for me, it may be handy "emergency" info if absolutely nothing else is available. Also, very little chance of drug interaction, and no drug hangover.

Anyone else try it?

-- Wheezing (BITR_?@here.now), December 19, 1999.

Wheezing--horseradish is wonderful for the sinuses. I've got some stocked and plan to buy more. Try it sometime...I'm going to miss prime rib though.

-- ~~~~~~ (~~~~@~~~.xcom), December 19, 1999.

good for you mitch. the best prep was over time--that way we aren't a drain on the system and actually encouraged higher stock levels. i participated in the surveys on the pharmaceuticals and from what we saw, they were all stocking up at 90 day inventory which is much greater than they usually do. so they are preparing. plus they are also stocking raw materials as a contingency plan. it really makes me mad that so many folks are waiting till the last minute to get prescriptions--that will definitely cause problems.

-- tt (cuddluppy@nowhere.com), December 19, 1999.

Thanks for the report, Mitch. Here, from a perhaps related thread yesterday:

One of our close personal friends was just hired as a system analyst for a pharmaceutical company in Washington state. The horn-hairs there ordered her to complete remediation in two weeks, or else. She informed them that it would take art least six months, so she expects to be out of a job shortly. She also told me that IHO they are absolutely going to crash!

Now this is an honest report. You lawyer types who want me to make more definite and certain, i.e., want me to reveal the name and location of the company, plus the programmers vital statistics, can stick it in your collective nostrils. I am not going to betray my source. -- elskon (elskon@bigfoot.com), December 18, 1999

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), December 19, 1999.

Mitch,

Sorry to hear about your son's asthma. I seem to have had my very mild case worsten in the last 6 months.

Ya know, I wonder if these CHEM TRAIL incidents hurt people with asthma...think Class Action lawsuit against TPTB!

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in less than two weeks.com), December 19, 1999.

I use Chinese herbs for my asthma. Ma Huang (ephedra) is available as a tincture or as "nasal tabs". You can also get a milder dose in an herbal allergy tea. Make sure you have plenty of water and anti oxidants for the little people. Pepper also works for me, but some children aren't going to cooperate on that one. Good luck!

-- Nancy (wellsnl@hotmail.com), December 19, 1999.

I'm mildly asthmatic. Caffeinated beverages, particularly coffee, help me.

-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (not_whistlin_dixie@yahoo.com), December 19, 1999.

Thanks Mitch.

Bet you're a great Dad too!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 19, 1999.

Mitch,

Nice going- nothing like a bit of preparation.

I'm not sure your Kroger people were givng you accurate info. I just bought 2 ventolin inhalers from CVS in Birmingham, AL. If you run into trouble, you may want to try a source outside of your immediate area.

-- mike (maples@voy.net), December 19, 1999.

Mitch, I agree with Mike. I work at a Walmart pharmacy in Indiana. We have been getting regular shipments of Albuterol almost daily. It is one of the most widely used inhalers. You can go to another pharmacy and have the prescription transferred.

The only medications we are having problems getting is propanolol (long acting only) - not from shortage, but manufacturer problems; Habitrol - not sure what the problem is there

I will keep this forum posted if I start to see any shortages developing before the rollover.

-- Ellen (Ellen@watchingeyes.com), December 19, 1999.

My pharmacy in NJ could not supply Intal inhalers, but had both albuterol and intal ampules for the nebulizer deliuvery. Pharmacist said he would keep trying.

-- walrus (walrus@eggman.com), December 20, 1999.

I'm a doomer in my mid 30's with a son and a wife who expects a couple of weeks of possible trouble. She thinks we have a couple of week's worth of food and water, but we really have a month's worth of water plus three months of food, and the ability to store another two months' worth of water. When I got back from grocery shopping the last time she asked me, "Are you sure you weren't born during the Great Depression?"

Wait till she sees the extra food in the boxes and the TP in the attic.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), December 20, 1999.