10 Best Apps for Pharmacists To Use

Thanks to mobile technology, pharmacists no longer need to page through bulky medication reference manuals or drug guides to find the information they need in a pinch.

From medical reference mobile apps to apps that offer pharmacy patients coupons for savings on prescriptions, mobile apps are continually improving to make life easier for pharmacists.

Among the 10 best apps for pharmacists, you’ll find detailed information on thousands of medications, breaking news from the FDA, anatomical guides, calculators, pill identifiers, and so much more.

Epocrates App

Epocrates has been touted as the #1 medical reference app and counts more than 1 million health care providers as users. Benefits include the most current safety, diagnostic, and treatment information. Epocrates allows pharmacists to quickly review safety and prescribing information for thousands of drugs (OTC, brand, and generic). Both adult and pediatric dosing are included along with contraindications, drug interactions, and more.

Epocrates provides a great deal of content for free, with the option to upgrade to Epocrates Plus (premium content) for $16.99/month. Epocrates is available for iOS and Android devices.

Monthly Prescribing Reference (MPR) App

The app version of the popular Monthly Prescribing Reference publication counts hundreds of thousands of clinical staff as users, thanks to convenient navigation. The MPR app offers pharmacists prescribing information, and drug updates in real-time. Quick reference charts, guidelines, and easy to use calculators help make this app a pharmacist favorite. MPR allows pharmacists to personalize settings, and opt-in for breaking news and safety alerts.

MPR offers a 30-day free trial to access all content. After the trial period ends, the app is $19.99/year for all access. The MPR app is available for iOS and Android devices.

Pocket Pharmacist App

Pocket Pharmacist was developed by a pharmacist in 2010 and boasts easy access to full FDA prescribing information, fast drug searches, interaction checker, and even quizzes to keep you sharp. Pocket Pharmacist does not allow for pharmaceutical sponsorships, or advertisements, making it a streamlined, clutter-free app for busy pharmacists.

Pocket Pharmacist is available for a monthly subscription of $.99 or a yearly subscription for $9.99. Pocket Pharmacist is available for iPhone and iPad only.

RxSaver Prescription Discount App

With the RxSaver Prescription Discount app, pharmacists can help patients find savings of up to 85% on prescription medications. The RxSaver app is particularly beneficial to pharmacy patients who do not have insurance. However, insured patients may find that RxSaver coupons offer a better price than their insurance copay.

The RxSaver app is free and available for download for iOS and Android devices.

I.V. Drug Handbook App

I.V. Drug Handbook by McGraw-Hill is written by and for pharmacists and practicing nurses. I.V. Drug Handbook provides simple navigation, customization options, a search engine for quickly locating a specific drug along with detailed descriptions of more than 350 medications and counting.

After a brief trial period, the I.V. Drug Handbook app is available for a one time fee of $44.99. The I.V. Drug Handbook app is available for download for iOS and Android devices.

Skyscape App

As a multipurpose medical reference app, Skyscape boasts detailed anatomical guides, monographs, flowcharts, and an index of signs and symptoms, all in an easy-to-use app that counts more than one million health care professional users.

Basic content on the Skyscape app is free. In-app purchases of premium content are available from $1.99-$179.99. The Skyscape app is available for download for iOS and Android devices.

Medscape App

FDA approval alerts, breaking medical news, and late-breaking clinical trial data are just a few of the benefits pharmacists can expect to find in the Medscape app. With information on more than 8,500 prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and supplements, the Medscape app also boasts more than 6,200 reference articles. A drug interaction checklist, pill identifier, and PharmD-authored drug monographs are also at your disposal within the Medscape app.

The Medscape app is free and available for iOS and Android devices.

Lexicomp App

The Lexicomp drug reference app grants access to more than 20 databases, including a pharmacogenomics database. With the Lexicomp app, the content is stored on your device, so even if you have a weak signal or no internet connection, pharmacists can find information on prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, natural products, and more.

The Lexicomp app offers a 30-day free trial. At the end of the trial, the app costs $29.99/month. The Lexicomp app is only available for iPhones and iPads.

Merck Manual Professional App

The Merck Manual Professional app regularly updates thousands of topics written by more than 350 physicians, with the amount of clinical information doubling every 18 months. The app includes videos, editorials, and drug reference information.

The Merck Manual app is free and is available for iOS and Android devices.

Google Translate App

For communicating with pharmacy patients in more than 100 different languages, the Google Translate app is a must-have for pharmacists. No internet connection is necessary for translating more than 50 languages.

The Google Translate app is free and is available for iOS and Android devices.

Easy to Use Apps for Pharmacists

Apps developed for pharmacists can help you stay up-to-date on the latest in FDA approvals, drug shortages, and breaking pharmacologic news. By putting access to vital information about drug interactions, and dosing information in the palm of your hand, easy-to-use apps for pharmacists serve as valuable tools to save time and streamline your workflow.