Innovative New Feature on CVS/pharmacy Mobile App Helps Users Identify Potential Drug Interactions

WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy^® today announced the launch of its new Drug Interaction Checker as part of its top-rated CVS Mobile app. An industry first, this unique feature allows customers to quickly and easily check for potential drug interactions by comparing over-the-counter (OTC) products with their prescriptions and other OTCs on their smartphones.

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Users simply enter the name of the product or active ingredients, or scan the UPC barcode on thousands of products with their smartphone camera. The Drug Interaction Checker will then compare available product details against the OTCs or prescription medications that are entered or imported through the patient's secure pharmacy history. The tool will identify possible interactions based on a comprehensive, continually updated database of drug information to alert users of any potential issues. The Drug Interaction Checker adds to the already existing innovative health resources offered on the CVS Mobile app.

"Our new Drug Interaction Checker empowers our customers to make important decisions about their health with a convenient tool that determines whether an over-the-counter product may impact the prescriptions they are taking," said Brian Tilzer, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer for CVS/pharmacy. "Our goal at CVS/pharmacy is to continually find new ways of helping people on their path to better health, and this new feature demonstrates how we intend to harness the power of mobile technology as a cutting-edge health resource that addresses real needs of our customers. Now customers will have more information right at their fingertips, so they can make more informed decisions or seek advice from a pharmacist as needed, if the CVS Mobile app alerts them to a potential interaction."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug per month, with more than 20 percent taking three or more prescriptions. In order for prescriptions to be most effective, patients need to understand how to take their medications and how other drugs, food, or lifestyle elements might interfere with or impact its efficacy. CVS pharmacists are available to provide this counsel in person or over the phone. With this new tool, CVS/pharmacy customers are informed and empowered to seek guidance on drug interactions from the palm of their hand.

The Drug Interaction Checker leverages native smartphone technology for a fast, easy and intuitive way to check for interactions anytime and anywhere. Users have the option to import prescriptions from their online MyCVS Pharmacy^® accounts or manually enter drug information. The Drug Interaction Checker is located on the home screen of the CVS Mobile app, with a new and easy-to-identify icon.

The Drug Interaction Checker adds to the comprehensive features already offered in the CVS Mobile app. Customers can also use the app to manage and refill prescriptions, access ExtraCare savings and rewards, order Photo prints, view the weekly circular and Deal of the Day, find their local pharmacy or MinuteClinic^® and more. The CVS Mobile app is available as a free download from Apple's App Store or through Google Play. Current users can update their existing app to instantly receive the new feature.

In the coming months, CVS/pharmacy will continue to enhance its mobile suite, offering a variety of exciting new features that take the digital drugstore to the next level. For more information, visit CVS.com/onthego.

About CVS/pharmacy 

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,400 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores in the U.S. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy