Health insurance companyAnthem has integrated its formulary information into the ePocrates Rx drug reference, allowing physicians caring for Anthem health plan members to access up-to-date formulary and clinical drug information from their PDAs or desktop computers.

The companies said ePocrates Rx, a clinical drug and formulary information guide, is used by many physicians in Anthem markets. The application combines formulary information specific to the patient's health insurance coverage with clinical drug data about dosing, adverse events, cautions and drug interactions.

"We're pleased to add the ePocrates tools to those we currently make available to physicians to improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care for our health plan members," said Sam Nussbaum, Anthem's chief medical officer. "Use of the ePocrates Rx drug reference brings new potential to increase patient safety by reducing medication errors, enhance formulary compliance efforts and reduce the administrative burden on physicians, saving them time and money. Everyone wins."

Anthem Prescription Management, a subsidiary of Anthem, will administer the technical requirements for providing the formulary. Anthem Prescription is a national pharmacy program manager serving many Anthem health plan members as well as other health plans and employer groups across the United States.