Changes Is Good

I thought this was a joke at first but apparently its real. Google is now officially in the health market. Read the full release after the jump but the following line baffled me.

“Partnership Allows Patients the Ability to Share their Prescription History”

Why exactly would I want to share my Valtrex, Vicodin and Viagra prescriptions with everyone in the pharmacy back office?

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE:LDG) announced today a new collaboration with Google Health to provide a platform for sharing of information between patients and providers. Working with Google, Longs will be one of the first pharmacies to provide their customers with the ability to import their prescription information into Google Health allowing the consumer to share that information with providers and doctors of their choosing to better coordinate their care.

“Working with Google Health is a natural extension of the services we already offer as part of our commitment to our customers to ensure patient safety and healthcare quality. Longs patients will have complete control of medical record transmission to their Google Health accounts and can turn the transmissions on and off at their discretion. With patients having more options and better access to their medical records and medication history, they can better coordinate their care with their doctors and healthcare providers,” said Mike Laddon, Longs Drugs SVP, CIO.

Google Health launched to the public today at an event at Google. A new product, it allows users to store, organize and manage their medical records and personal health information online. Longs was included at the event as a “first mover” integration partner that Google is working with to demonstrate the value of sharing data between patients and providers.

In addition to Longs 514 retail pharmacies, it’s wholly owned subsidiary RxAmerica, which provides pharmacy benefits management services and Medicare beneficiary prescription drug plans, will also be able to offer clinical guidance and cost savings to its 8.7 million members.

“Participation in this program truly supports the emerging trend of consumer directed healthcare. RxAmerica will be able to use this partnership to position ourselves as a client and member-centric company — one that cares about maintaining the well-being of its members and controlling costs,” said John Gardnyk, President of RxAmerica.

Google Health is available on the web at http://www.google.com/health. A link to Longs is included in the partner directory.