Epocrates launches in UK and Europe

Epocrates Inc., the US firm specialising in mobile systems for the healthcare industry, has announced its expansion into the global market today with the introduction of local brand and generic drug names integrated into its clinical applications.

The company’s mobile applications, including the Epocrates Rx free drug reference and its Epocrates Essentials premium drug, disease and diagnostic guide, now incorporate drug name indexes for four countries – Canada, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Epocrates says the addition of the local drug indexes will be followed by the addition of enhanced clinical content and additional services, including news alerts, medical education and market research. The company also plans to expand into additional countries, including France and Italy, in 2006.

The company says that it aims to help transform the practice of medicine by providing innovative clinical solutions at the point of care. In the US some 500,000 healthcare professionals, including a quarter of physicians and half of all medical students, are now said to use its products and services.

Epocrates’ solutions are developed specifically for mobile devices to reduce medical errors, improve patient care, and help keep physicians informed on the latest industry news. Key products currently provided for use on PDAs include the firm’s drug reference sources and clinical guides.

Core mobile products include Epocrates Rx Pro – a drug and formulary reference; Epocrates SxDx – a disease reference and integrated symptom assessment tool; and

Epocrates Lab – a diagnostic and laboratory test reference. Other products and services focus on Continuing Medical Education and market research.

"I have been using Epocrates products for a number of years and believe they are the most useful medical software applications available. The addition of the local drug content now makes the products even more invaluable," said Dr Michael Jorsh, consultant/honorary senior clinical lecturer, Combined Healthcare NHS Trust and Keele University.

Dr Jorsh added: "Not a day goes by that I do not use Epocrates in my clinical practice for immediate access to information on drug dosing and interactions, disease treatment recommendations and more."

According to the results of a recent Epocrates survey nearly 90% of clinicians using its applications said using Epocrates has helped them avoid medical errors, and more than 50% reported avoiding at least one medical error a week. In the same survey nearly 30% of respondents reported saving more than 30 minutes per day.

Kirk Loevner, chairman and chief executive officer of Epocrates, said the company was on the way to becoming a global company, with its products used by 60,000 healthcare professionals outside the US. "We are committed to localising our products to support clinicians around the world in their pursuit to provide superior patient care. We also look forward to working with international healthcare companies seeking to communicate with our growing network of clinicians."

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