iPrescribe Blog

Elsevier announces expansion to their flagship clinical decision support solution, ClinicalKey AI

iPrescribe — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:15:00 GMT

March 4, 2025 – Elsevier, a global leader in health information and data analytics, has announced further enhancements to ClinicalKey AI, the company’s leading generative AI-powered clinical decision support solution. The new functionality and integrations with strategic partners aim to transform the way healthcare providers access and utilize actionable insights, enhancing patient care and efficiency directly within the clinician’s workflow.

Seamless workflows are crucial for doctors as they enable them to focus more on patient care, reduce time-consuming administrative tasks, and access relevant information efficiently. To serve the needs of busy clinicians, ClinicalKey AI is launching new workflow integrations in the electronic health record (EHR) with Epic1 and into the health information technology (HIT) space with iPrescribe by DrFirst, along with a new mobile app available for Apple and Android users.

The new EHR integration will streamline workflows, enabling clinicians to switch between Epic’s EHR and ClinicalKey AI without needing to navigate away from patient records. ClinicalKey AI can be found in Connection Hub on Epic Showroom, providing a cohesive experience for clinicians, simplifying the process for accessing essential information at the point of care. A new ClinicalKey AI mobile app will further boost access, enhancing clinicians’ ability to access critical information on the go.

Dr. Barry Wendt, Chief Medical Information Officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, a development partner on the Epic EHR integration, said: “Clinicians are working under increasing pressure, treating multiple patients with complex cases, and simplifying access to vital information is paramount. With ClinicalKey AI’s seamless integration with the Epic EHR system, clinicians can easily move between the patient’s EHR and the latest evidence-based content, helping them save valuable time when they’re treating patients at the point of care.”

The collaboration with DrFirst, which has solutions used by more than 450,000 prescribers, adds the power of ClinicalKey AI decision support to the company’s iPrescribe by DrFirst HIT platform. “Each day, prescribers make the most of every moment to take care of their patients, even while traveling between their homes, various offices, and other facilities,” said Colin Banas, M.D., M.H.A., Chief Medical Officer of DrFirst. “Making this world-class, evidence-based research tool available within the iPrescribe by DrFirst app gives healthcare providers across all practice sizes and specialties instant access to AI-powered conversational searches of clinical literature—helping them make informed prescribing decisions from anywhere.”

In addition to these new access-enhancing features, ClinicalKey AI will also enable clinicians to earn, track, and claim Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits directly within the platform. Healthcare professionals will be able to earn CME credits through each clinical query and response interaction, seamlessly integrating learning into their daily workflow.

Furthermore, ClinicalKey AI will support auto-submission of MOC credits to American Boards of eight different specialties (internal medicine, pediatrics, anesthesiology, surgery, pathology, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery and thoracic surgery). This will make ClinicalKey AI the first AI solution of this kind with this capability.

Omry Bigger, President of Clinical Solutions at Elsevier said: “Healthcare professionals continue to face growing pressures on their time while operating in a fast-moving work environment. Since launching ClinicalKey AI in 2024 as the first Gen-AI solution of its kind, we have continued to expand functionality to support clinicians by streamlining processes, improving access and boosting CME, helping them respond to the challenges they face every day.”

ClinicalKey AI is available in over 50 countries and provides answers from a content set that is specifically curated for point of care questions. It enables access to Elsevier titles such as The Lancet, Goldman-Cecil, as well as non-Elsevier titles and a host of other evidence-based sources. Today’s announcement builds on the expanded partnership with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) announced earlier this year, which made the ACC’s Clinical Practice Guidelines and Expert Consensus Decision Pathways on a range of cardiology topics available on ClinicalKey AI.

You can learn more about ClinicalKey AI on our website, and also at the upcoming 2025 HIMSS Conference in Las Vegas. Join the Elsevier team at booth 3616 and AI Pavilion Kiosk 121-14 to find out more about ClinicalKey AI. You can also hear from Elsevier spokespeople Dr. Amber Featherstone-Uwague (3:10 p.m., March 4) and Dr. Paul “PJ” Helmuth (2 p.m., March 5) at speaking sessions in the AI Pavillion.

About Elsevier

As a global leader in scientific information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies.

We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,500 employees around the world, including 2,500 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 2,900 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray’s Anatomy.

Together with the Elsevier Foundation, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com.

About iPrescribe by DrFirst

iPrescribe by DrFirst is the industry-leading e-prescribing solution, trusted by healthcare providers throughout the U.S. It enables safe and efficient prescribing of controlled and non-controlled substances anytime, anywhere. Built for mobility and designed to adapt to any workflow, iPrescribe ensures seamless, compliant prescribing across all practice settings. Whether used as a standalone mobile solution or integrated with an EHR, iPrescribe delivers flexibility for in-office and after-hours needs. DrFirst solutions help 100 million patients a year and are used by more than 450,000 prescribers, 71,000 pharmacies, 270 EHRs and health information systems, and over 2,000 hospitals in the U.S. To learn more, visit iPrescribe.com and DrFirst.com.

Media contact:

Chris West
c.west1@elsevier.com

Rx Vitals: Sharing Your Personal Number

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The prior authorization process for specialty medications often takes weeks or more due to the extensive coordination required among providers, pharmacists, and insurers. Making calls, faxing forms, and navigating fragmented communication channels significantly slow down the exchange of vital information.

Patients are frequently left waiting for updates, leading to increased and urgent calls to providers who may also be waiting for updates themselves.

To gain insight into patient-provider interactions during this process, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers who had completed a prior authorization for a specialty medication. Here’s what they told us:

41% report their doctor gave them their cell phone number to call or text

75% say they’ve used it

While healthcare providers may offer patients their personal cell phone numbers with the best intentions, it may cause more problems than it solves, contributing to delays in care and clinician burnout.

Learn more about how the iPrescribe by DrFirst in-app dialer provides users with a more connected, seamless, and private communication experience with a new custom dial and caller ID feature.

Cost-Effective Electronic Prescribing

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:45:00 GMT

Are you looking for affordable e-prescribing software? The good news is you don’t have to invest in a full EHR suite, which can drive your monthly software fees into the tens of thousands.

When comparing prescribing software, you want the best return on your investment, something that's easy to use and fits into your workflow. iPrescribe is a more affordable, intuitive, and secure way to prescribe – and it costs less than $1 a day.

Learn more about the cost benefits of e-prescribing and our included e-Rx features below.

Lots of features with one low annual fee

The good news is you don't have to pay astronomical fees to get your hands on a standalone e-prescribing system with EPCS. Easily handle renewal requests, PDMP lookup, medication history on demand, and calculate patient savings options from your mobile device for one low fee.

Unlimited staff access

iPrescribe only charges for prescribers, so your organization can have as many non-prescribing staff members as you like to help manage the prescription workflow.

Setup and support

Contrary to many EHR systems, iPrescribe can be set up remotely in minutes. Download the app and signup on your time. If you have questions, our support team is ready to help.

Meet your requirements

Certified by Surescripts, iPrescribe is the first standalone electronic prescribing app. Our e-prescribing software helps you comply with federal Medicare Part D and state EPCS and PDMP mandates. Plus, our software meets or exceeds all DEA and HIPAA requirements.

Mobile app

Send or renew prescriptions to virtually any pharmacy with our cloud-based system from any Android or iOS devices.

Pricing overview

Prescribers pay $360 annually for iPrescribe – less than $1 a day for the safety, convenience, and EPCS benefits of the leader in mobile e-prescribing.

What is E-Prescribing Software?

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:45:00 GMT

Electronic prescribing, or "e-prescribing," is a technology framework that routes prescriptions to their destination at the pharmacy. When a pharmacy receives a request, it can fill the medication immediately. This allows doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, and other healthcare providers to prescribe whenever and wherever it’s convenient for them, via mobile phone, tablet, or desktop computer.

E-prescribing securely transmits the drug to the pharmacy, cutting out unnecessary phone calls and antiquated faxes, while virtually eliminating paper scripts and the medication safety challenges they pose in today’s digital health era.

While electronic prescribing rules differ by state, Medicare Part D participants are now required – as of January 1, 2023 – to send prescriptions for controlled substances electronically.

In short: e-prescribing is better for providers, safer for patients, cheaper and more convenient for everyone involved.

How does e-prescribing work?

E-prescribing is the ability for a prescriber to electronically send an accurate, error-free, and understandable prescription directly to a pharmacy from the point of care. It is an essential element in improving the quality of patient care.

E-prescribing benefits

Not only is e-prescribing rapidly growing, but the technology that powers it is on the move as well. Beyond its timesaving benefits for physicians and patients, e-prescribing helps improve healthcare quality and patient safety by reducing medication errors, with in-workflow checks for drug interactions.

How much does e-prescribing cost?

The cost of e-prescribing with iPrescribe is just $30/month, billed at $360 annually.

Do you need an EMR or EHR to Prescribe?

Standalone electronic prescribing systems don't require an electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record (EHR) to work, and in fact, nearly two-thirds of iPrescribe users say e-prescribing serves as a complement to these systems.

How to setup e-prescribing

Contrary to many EHR systems, standalone e-prescribing software can be set up remotely in minutes by following the below steps:

Valid NPI Number: To start e-prescribing, you will need an NPI account to set up your profile as part of the identity verification process, and to upgrade your account for e-prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS).

Identity Proofing: ID proofing can be done in-person or online through companies that work with your EHR. For online ID proofing, you may need to answer a security question and email scanned copies of government-issued documents along with your photo and medical license.

Two-Factor Authentication: This two-step process ensures that only you can sign and send the controlled substance prescription to the pharmacy and includes: (1) something you have, such as a fob token-generated one-time password, and (2) something you know, such as a password.

Are you ready to get started with iPrescribe, the leader in mobile e-prescribing? Download the app and signup today.

Questions? Contact our support team for assistance.

Leverage Real-Time Price Transparency With iPrescribe

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:30:00 GMT

The last thing physicians want is to prescribe medication their patients can’t afford to take. After all, medications won’t work if patients don’t take them. That’s why clinicians need to know what patients’ costs will be as they are making prescribing decisions.

The current economic environment is making it even more difficult. Our recent consumer survey found that over a third of Americans (35%) are skimping on their prescriptions or skipping them altogether due to high costs. In fact, studies show that patients are four times more likely to abandon a prescription that costs them $50 compared to one that costs only $10.

Check Your Patient’s Out-Of Pocket Costs

iPrescribe provides a solution by connecting with major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide physicians with accurate pricing information within the prescribing workflow, delivering individualized price transparency information, therapeutic alternatives, and pharmacy insights.

This feature allows prescribers to check a patient’s out-of-pocket costs for both covered and non-covered drugs, suggest lower-cost alternatives if needed, and share patient assistance programs that may significantly reduce medication costs. iPrescribe offers alternatives that may be more affordable, which is crucial in today's economic climate, with many Americans experiencing reduced income or job loss.

“Many physicians choose an appropriate medication during an office or telehealth visit, hit the send button, and assume the patient has picked it up at the pharmacy,” says Colin Banas, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for DrFirst. “Unfortunately, it’s only when patients show up later in the Emergency Department with serious complications that they acknowledge, ‘Doc, I couldn’t afford the medicine.’”

Equipping Prescriber’s with Insights

By equipping prescribers with these insights into patients’ costs, iPrescribe enables physicians to discuss options so patients are more likely to fill and take their prescriptions.

Introducing iPrescribe Connect: Personal, Secure, Seamless Patient Communication

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:15:00 GMT

iPrescribe users can now reach patients from their personal phone—safely, seamlessly, securely

iPrescribe by DrFirst recently launched a more connected, seamless, and private communication experience for subscribers with a new custom dial and caller ID feature. Called iPrescribe Connect, the new feature will allow prescribers to use their own mobile phone to contact patients and make calls as part of the prescribing process without compromising their personal phone number or other sensitive information. The value-add feature will come standard with every paid subscription at no extra charge.

iPrescribe Connect works like this:

Users can customize the in-app caller ID settings to display their office name and number, allowing prescribers the freedom and flexibility to work on-the-go from their personal mobile device—without risking their personal identity or worrying about obtrusive call-backs. Patients are much more likely to recognize the call as coming from a trusted healthcare provider and pick up because iPrescribe Connect uses caller ID masking technology rather than blocking the number outright, as is more common.

With a focus on enhancing patient communication and freeing up providers to work wherever and whenever they like, iPrescribe Connect will empower healthcare professionals to get more done in less time and more importantly, on their own terms.

Other benefits of iPrescribe Connect include:

Keep your work organized and accessible via your personal mobile device
Secure phone calls with one click
Choose how to display your practice number on caller ID for patients
Maintain patient privacy and ensure professionalism

Stay connected with patients and colleagues

Experience seamless communication and e-prescribing capabilities with iPrescribe, whether you're in a bustling hospital environment or a remote rural area. Our powerful app allows you to effortlessly reach your patients and prescribe medications, all while keeping your practice organized and accessible. Enjoy the freedom to connect, manage prescribing history, and even make practice calls through our secure private dialer, liberating you from the constraints of your office. With iPrescribe, patient care and professional convenience go hand in hand.

Separation of personal and professional life

With iPrescribe Connect, you can keep your personal and professional lives separate. The dialer enables you to make work-related calls without revealing your personal number, helping you maintain boundaries and privacy in your personal life.

Improved efficiency and patient engagement

Embrace the simplicity of a unified communication channel, eliminating the need for multiple platforms and enhancing collaboration. iPrescribe Connect empowers you to focus more on patient care by optimizing your workflow and enhancing engagement with patients.

Secure and private communication

With iPrescribe Connect, enjoy peace of mind as your communication remains secure and private. Your patient data is encrypted and fully compliant with HIPAA regulations, ensuring optimal protection. Trust in the security of iPrescribe Connect to keep your conversations confidential and your patients' information safe.

Affordable and included with your subscription

With iPrescribe, you get iPrescribe Connect as part of your subscription, making it a cost-effective solution for healthcare professionals. Say goodbye to expensive communication services and enjoy streamlined communication that fits your budget. iPrescribe Connect offers affordable and accessible communication for healthcare practices of all sizes.

Enhanced collaboration with iPrescribe Connect

iPrescribe Connect is a groundbreaking solution that revolutionizes collaboration for healthcare professionals. With powerful features designed to enhance teamwork and efficiency, iPrescribe Connect is available now to users with a subscription and will be accessible to all users later this year. Reach out to iPrescribe by DrFirst for more information and join us in transforming healthcare for better outcomes.

Questions? Click here for help.

The Year Ahead: Costs of Prescriptions, Treating Obesity, and AI in Healthcare

Admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

iPrescribe Survey Finds What’s on Patients’ Minds for 2024

Rockville, Md. – December 19, 2023 – While losing weight is a perennial fixture on Americans’ New Year resolutions, new treatment options may make it a reality for more people, according to research by iPrescribe, the mobile e-prescribing app by health technology pioneer DrFirst.

The survey of 1,008 consumers is part of a series exploring experiences and behaviors related to healthcare and medications. This survey focused on Americans’ perceptions and intentions about their health priorities, opinions about whether their doctor should use AI in decision-making, concerns about healthcare costs in the new year, and what would make them shop for a new doctor.

Health Priorities

Exercising more and losing weight rank at the top of Americans’ health priorities for 2024, followed closely by improving sleep and mental health:

Exercising regularly (45%)
Losing weight (37%)
Improving sleep (33%)
Mental health (33%)

Although only 13% say they currently take prescription medication for weight loss, that number may grow significantly in the coming years, as 18% say they expect to start taking the new generation of weight loss drugs (such as Wegovy or Zepbound) in 2024. And the vast majority (78%) believe that more Americans will also do so in the future, citing:

It will become the norm in treating weight disorders (41%)
It isn’t as extreme as surgical interventions (37%)
People can lose weight while getting other health benefits from the medication (36%)
It’s hard to follow a healthy diet (35%)
Diet and exercise don’t work well enough (30%)
It will become an affordable option for more people because, over time, the cost of these medications will come down (30%)

“With the health risks that come from obesity, including a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and death by any cause, losing weight is a valuable health goal – yet it is typically very hard for most people to achieve and maintain,” said Colin Banas, M.D., M.H.A., Chief Medical Officer of DrFirst. “These new-generation drug options are providing patients with additional, highly effective options to treat obesity. While there are risks of unwanted side effects with any medication, this class of medications is showing very promising benefits in other areas, including reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.”

Other prescriptions people expect to start taking in the coming year include those for:

Anxiety or depression (23%)
Improving sleep (20%)
Lowering blood pressure (20%)

Artificial Intelligence and Self-Diagnosis

Most Americans (67%) are fans of doctors using AI to help with diagnoses and prescription choices, although others say “No” (37%). Those who see the value say:

Yes, if it’s used to help and not actually make decisions (38%)
Always! There is too much important information to rely on human brain power alone (25%)

“Most people appreciate AI’s potential to support healthcare providers for treatment and care decisions, to serve as the proverbial co-pilot to clinical care,” said Banas. “The key is using AI that is trained and guided by clinicians for accuracy and safety.”

Over two in five Americans (41%) say they go online to “self-diagnose” health issues. While most are using search engines to do so, over a quarter say they use generative AI and social media. People report using:

Search engines, such as Google or Bing (65%)
Information on their healthcare provider’s website (38%)
Cell phone apps (31%)
Generative AI programs, such as ChatGPT or Google Bard (27%)
Social media, such as Facebook, Reddit, or X (27%)

Costs of Healthcare

Americans are concerned that the cost of their prescriptions will go up in the coming year:

Very concerned (37%)
Somewhat concerned (40%)
Not concerned (23%)

If they cannot afford their prescriptions, 70% of Americans say they would ask their doctor for a less expensive alternative, and nearly half (45%) say they would look for coupons or copay assistance programs. About 20% say they would take fewer doses than prescribed (21%) and/or stop taking the medication (18%).

Two out of every five consumers (40%) are facing a change in their health insurance plan in the coming year, and cost ranks as the highest factor in deciding among plans. Other deciding factors include:

Affordability of the monthly fee, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum (45%)
Current doctors are “in-network” (30%)
Affordability of prescription copays (16%)

Even as nearly half (45%) of Americans say a change in insurance plans would make them look for a new doctor, about the same amount (43%) say they would stick with their current doctor no matter the cost, and half as many (23%) say they would do so if they can afford it. Other reasons for looking for a new doctor include:

Doesn’t take my health concerns seriously (44%)
Unpleasant bedside manner (34%)
Difficulty getting a response when I have a question or need a prescription (32%)
Takes too long to get an appointment (29%)

“While not every reason that might send patients to a new doctor can be addressed by technology, many can,” said Banas. “For example, tech that helps doctors get back to their patients quickly to answer questions or e-prescribe even if they are not in the office can help strengthen the doctor-patient relationship.”

Methodology

A national online survey of 1,008 U.S. consumers, ages 18 and over, was conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of iPrescribe by DrFirst in December 2023. Survey responses were nationally representative of the U.S. population for age, gender, region, and ethnicity. The maximum margin of sampling error was +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

About iPrescribe and DrFirst iPrescribe by DrFirst is the industry-leading mobile prescribing app used by doctors, dentists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners to quickly and safely prescribe and renew prescriptions anytime, anywhere. Since 2000, healthcare IT pioneer DrFirst has empowered providers and patients to achieve better health through intelligent medication management. We improve healthcare efficiency and effectiveness by enhancing e-prescribing workflows, improving medication history, optimizing clinical data usability, and helping patients start and stay on therapy. In the last few years, DrFirst has won over 25 awards for excellence and innovation, including winning Gold in the prestigious Edison Awards in 2023, recognizing our game-changing use of clinical-grade AI to streamline time-consuming healthcare workflows and prevent medication errors. Our solutions are used by more than 350,000 prescribers, 71,000 pharmacies, 270 EHRs and health information systems, and over 2,000 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit DrFirst.com and follow @DrFirst.

Media contact:

Erin Jundef erin@bospar.com