AUGUSTA, MAINE, AND SAN MATEO, CALIF., JUNE 1, 2005
State of Maine Meets Physicians' Increasing Use of Mobile Devices, Provides Preferred Drug Lists Via Epocrates PDA Drug References
Communication and Efficiency Expected to Improve
Prescribers in the State of Maine now have access to detailed drug reference information along with the most up-to-date list of preferred drugs available to patients enrolled in MaineCare, Maine Rx Plus and the Drugs for the Elderly through the industry-leading Epocrates Rx and Rx Pro mobile drug references designed for the Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld platforms and through the Epocrates Rx Online TM reference available for Internet-connected desktop computers.
Within the Epocrates mobile drug and formulary references, providers can easily check preferred drug list status, prior authorization requirements, alternatives, generic substitutes and quantity limits. The drug references also include over 3,500 drug monographs along with indications, a built-in dosing calculator, contraindications, drug interactions, adverse reactions, cost information, and the MultiCheck function capable of checking up to 30 drugs simultaneously for interactions.
Access to a single source of information at the point-of-care allows providers to immediately see the latest list of drugs available through the State’s various pharmacy benefits, as well as, the drugs available through private insurers in the State including Anthem and Cigna. Providers will also be able to tell immediately if a drug requires step therapy, a pre-authorization or simply is not covered at all. The information will be updated by the State on a monthly basis when changes are made to the PDL. Equally important, the Epocrates softwarehelps them search immediately for alternatives that are covered along with any cautions and contraindications those medications pose, so that clinicians can make both cost effective and safe prescribing decisions.
“This is a win-win for everyone involved,” said William Diggins, executive director of the Maine Health Alliance, which, along with the Maine Primary Care Association, donated the first year cost of putting the State’s drug list in the Epocrates mobile clinical reference.
“Patients get better informed clinicians caring for them, providers can reduce their call backs from the pharmacy and the State increases its chances of using its limited funds cost effectively without jeopardizing patient outcomes,” said Kevin Lewis, executive director of the Maine Primary Care Association.
In fact, a case study by Epocrates on the impact of handheld formulary information, integrated with clinical content, on the prescribing choices and workflow of physicians was presented at an Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy conference. The case study, which was prepared with participation from two medical groups in Connecticut, showed a 64 percent reduction in phone calls from the pharmacy, and an 88 percent greater likelihood that the physician would refer to formulary information provided on a handheld device before prescribing, as compared to a paper reference.
About the Maine Health Alliance
The Maine Health Alliance is a not-for-profit network of eight hospitals and over three hundred physicians formed to help northern Maine healthcare practitioners respond to the ever-changing demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Alliance members share a common goal of offering their communities affordable, quality health services, with outcomes that are second to none.
About the Maine Primary Care Association
The Maine Primary Care Association community includes all of Maine grant-funded federally qualified health centers, tribal health centers, an island-based community center and the Maine Migrant Health program. Approximately one out of every fifteen people in Maine obtains primary health care from a Maine Primary Care Association member.
CONTACTS: Erica Sniad Morgenstern Epocrates Public Relations PHONE: (650) 227-6907 E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com WEB: www.epocrates.com Nancy Morris Maine Health Alliance Phone: (207) 799-1090 E-mail: nmtmha@aol.com WEB: www.mainehealthalliance.org