Epocrates Launches AI-Powered Assistant for Medication Prescribing

Epocrates, the renowned drug reference and clinical decision-support app owned by athenahealth, has unveiled a groundbreaking AI assistant feature designed to revolutionize medication prescribing decisions for healthcare professionals. This latest development marks a significant step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice, offering clinicians quick and accurate drug information at the point of care.

AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support

The new AI assist tool from Epocrates leverages large language models (LLMs) combined with specific patient history to provide concise, conversational answers about prescription medications. Unlike traditional static information displays, this feature engages users in a dialogue-like interaction, mining expanded insights into clinical decision-making processes.

Kabir Seth, Vice President of Product and Technology at Epocrates, emphasized the tool's unique approach: "We've always wanted to ensure that we maintain what we're built on, which is a foundation of trusted content. Everything that we've built and the experience we've built is co-created with our trusted medical professionals."

The AI assistant goes beyond simple drug lookups, offering:

• Automated smart summaries of drug monographs
• Integration with Epocrates' drug interaction checker
• Real-time affordability insights, including retail prices for medications
• Concise answers based on the company's extensive drug monograph content

Addressing Healthcare Professional Needs

In an era where clinicians are inundated with fragmented data, Epocrates' AI assist feature aims to cut through the noise, providing reliable and efficient prescribing support. The company has focused on maintaining the clarity and conciseness that has made its app a favorite among healthcare professionals, with approximately 430,000 drug lookups performed daily.

Seth highlighted the importance of supporting clinical judgment rather than replacing it: "From talking to our users, they are not interested in an AI assistant that tells them 'This is exactly what you should do.' They are very interested in an assistant that tells them the parameters or gives them options to then make the right decision."

The Future of AI in Healthcare

As the AI-powered clinical decision support market continues to evolve, Epocrates' latest offering enters a competitive landscape. Other players in this space include:

• OpenEvidence, which recently raised $300 million at a $3.5 billion valuation
• Doximity, which acquired Pathway Medical for $63 million to enhance its AI capabilities
• Wolters Kluwer Health, partnering with AI startups to integrate its UpToDate resource into new tools

Seth views the current state of AI in healthcare as the "early innings," drawing parallels to the early days of mobile technology. He suggests that the industry has yet to fully realize the potential of AI in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of trust and user experience in developing successful solutions.

As Epocrates continues to refine and expand its AI-assist tool, the company plans to incorporate more disease information, improve drug comparison capabilities, and explore integration with athenahealth's technology. The ultimate goal is to create a personalized AI assistant that enhances efficiency and decision-making for healthcare professionals across various specialties.