ICERx.org Activated to Provide Emergency Access to Prescription Medication Information for Hurricane Ike Evacuees

TAMPA, Fla. - (September 12, 2008) - In the wake of the President's declaration of a state of emergency, ICERx.org (In Case of Emergency prescription history service) has been activated to provide licensed physicians and pharmacists caring for Hurricane Ike evacuees with private, secure online access to available medication history information for affected individuals. Armed with this information, health care professionals will be able to effectively assist in the coordination of care and safely renew prescriptions for evacuees, while avoiding harmful prescription errors and potential drug interactions.

Prescription data is available only to U.S.-licensed physicians and pharmacists who have been authenticated and registered on ICERx.org (www.icerx.org). To register, licensed physicians and pharmacists should call 1-888-ICERX-50 (1-888-423-7950) and follow the appropriate prompts.

Through the system, authorized users will be able to securely view the following information:

• A listing of prescription medications taken by the evacuee
• Quantity and day supply
• The pharmacy that filled the prescription
• The provider who wrote the prescription
• Drug information, such as indication and dosage, administration, and interactions

The prescription history information is available from a variety of sources participating in ICERx.org, including community pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers and state Medicaid programs.

ICERx.org is a public service initiative made possible through the collaborative efforts of the American Medical Association (AMA), Informed Decisions, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), Surescripts- RxHub, as well as government agencies.

Media Contact:
Liz Roop
(813) 960-5092, ext. 757
liz@npccs.com