Physicians using ePocrates Rx, a Palm OS handheld drug reference guide used by one in four U.S. physicians, can now customize their ePocrates handheld tool so that it includes the Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama preferred drug lists (PDLs).

According to ePocrates, using ePocrates Rx on their handheld device will allow Alabama physicians to access clinical and safety data on more than 2700 drugs and also determine whether the drug they are prescribing is covered under the patient's insurance plan. In addition to Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama, ePocrates Rx includes formularies from other Blues, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Blue Care Network, Blue Shield of California and Premera Blue Cross, as well as many other national and regional health plans covering more than 80 million lives

"Health plans want to eliminate the red tape that leaves patients and physicians frustrated over delivery of drug benefits," says Richard Fiedotin, M.D., ePocrates' vice president of business development. "Integrating the Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama preferred drug lists into ePocrates Rx allows doctors to check drug benefit coverage while they are looking up clinical information. By decreasing the time spent on paperwork and pharmacy phone calls, doctors using ePocrates Rx can devote more time to their clinical practice."