Smartphone Review

As a result of work with the Microsoft Healthcare Industry Solutions Group, physicians will now be able to use ePocrates Rx Pro 6.0, the premium version of ePocrates’ popular handheld drug reference, using Pocket PC devices. Previously, ePocrates software was available only for the Palm OS.

This new application, which will be updated weekly, contains peer-reviewed information on over 2,800 prescription drugs and 400 alternative medications, and also includes clinical guidelines and an infectious disease application.

A study published last year in JAMIA reported that physicians using the ePocrates Rx software were able to prevent one to two medication errors per week.

ePocrates Rx Pro 6.0 sells for $50 for either the Pocket PC or Palm OS version. There is a free version, called ePocrates Rx, that just has the drug information and is available only for Palm OS.

“Accelerating the adoption of new technology is a challenge in any industry, and healthcare has been no exception,” says Robert Quinn, ePocrates’ Chief Technology Officer. “ePocrates’ success stems from the fact that we built a highly intuitive point-of-care PDA drug reference. With virtually no marketing, this application has been adopted by hundreds of thousands of users. Now, we feel that the healthcare community is looking for a wider array of content, applications, platforms and connectivity. We are delighted to partner with Microsoft to address these growing needs, beginning with ePocrates Rx Pro for Pocket PC.”

ePocrates is launching an online version of its clinical product called ePocrates Rx Online this May. Users will be able to access the same information currently available for handheld devices, but will also be able to print out dosing, drug interaction, patient education materials and more, for their patients.

To celebrate the launch of the Pocket PC edition, HP is offering a 10% rebate to those who purchase an HP iPAQ Pocket PC and ePocrates Rx Pro for the Pocket PC.