The healthcare industry in the U.S. made a smooth transition in the Year 2000, according to the Pharmaceutical Alliance for Y2K Readiness, a coalition of pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale distributors and other healthcare organizations. Public health messages that assured consumers there would be ample medication available in 2000 worked. The Alliance reported there were no significant Y2K-related problems with the nation's supply of pharmaceuticals and that consumers had refrained from stockpiling drugs as 1999 drew to a close.
Other areas of the healthcare industry that made the Year 2000 changeover with relative ease include:
- patient data software and microchips showed a high level of Y2K readiness as of Sunday, according to the FDA; and
- Medicare and Medicaid programs reported no significant problems, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(Pharmaceutical Alliance for Y2K Readiness, Alice Slater, 202/298-9055)