As the year 2000 looms larger on the horizon, pharmacists in the Miss-Lou say they are content that they are ready for the next millennium.

&uot;We’ve been Y2K compliant for over a year now,&uot; said Lloyd Trisler, pharmacist at the Wal-Mart Super center on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive in Natchez.

So far, there have been no instances of drug hoarding — purchasing large quantities of drugs to store.

&uot;People want to come in and get their prescriptions filled ahead of the New Year, but they’re in no real rush,&uot; Trisler said.

Some customers have been curious about what Y2K will mean to them as pharmaceutical consumers, he said.

&uot;We’ve probably had 100 or so inquire&uot; about availability of their medications after the first of the year, Trisler said.

Trisler said staff at the pharmacy has assured customers that there is plenty of medicine to supply customers into the new year.

&uot;We keep a pretty good inventory on hand,&uot; Trisler said. For certain &uot;life maintenance&uot; medications, Trisler said Wal-Mart pharmacy keeps a larger stock.

&uot;Some medicines we keep a two week supply of, but other medicines like insulin, we’ll keep a two to three month supply of,&uot; Trisler said.

Only &uot;one or two&uot; people have been insistent upon long refills of medication, he said.

&uot;And if their doctor doesn’t mind and the insurance company will allow it, we’ll do it,&uot; he said. &uot;We want to make people happy.&uot;

Don Tassin, owner and operator of Don’s Drugs on Texas Street in Ferriday, La., said he’s answered 40 to 50 Y2K questions from concerned customers. &uot;I’ve had a few people to ask if they’ll be able to get their prescriptions after the first of the year,&uot; he said.

Once Tassin explains that his computer system is Y2K compliant and that there should be no problem in refilling prescriptions in the new year, he said his customers’ fears seem alleviated.

Louisiana pharmacists received an advisory from the State of Louisiana Medicaid Office recommending that pharmacists fill prescriptions normally due for refill around New Year’s Day up to a week early as a precaution, Tassin said.

&uot;I&160;am recommending that customers get their prescriptions filled early if their refills fall around the first of the year,&uot; Tassin said. &uot;Especially insulin dependent people or people with specific blood pressure medicines.&uot;

No one at Don’s Drugs has demanded long prescriptions in fear of the Y2K bug, Tassin said.

&uot;Most of my customers are dependent on third party payers who won’t refill a prescription until its close to the refill date,&uot; he said.

Customers at Reeves Pharmacy in on Carter Street in Vidalia haven’t attempted to hoard medicine, said Liz Farmer, pharmacist.

&uot;We’ve not have a lot of questions (about Y2K),&uot; she said. &uot;We’ve had maybe five or six older customers who are dependent on medications for life maintenance.&uot;

Reeves and its wholesalers are Y2K compliant, she said.