DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club (PSC), a formulary of more than 8,000 branded and generic medications, is now accessible to doctors and other prescribing health care providers through a partnership between Walgreen Co. and Epocrates Inc.

The initiative uses the health information technology provider’s mobile and online drug reference tools to help health care providers in identifying lower-cost medication options for patients when writing or refilling a prescription.

“Providing the Epocrates network of prescribers convenient access to our Prescription Savings Club prices will help continue to drive awareness around the exceptional value the discount club offers on a broad range of medications,” says Richard Ashworth, vice president of pharmacy operations at Walgreens.

Using the Epocrates solution, health care providers can quickly check the Walgreens PSC formulary to determine whether a less expensive drug option is available. Prescribing providers will have free electronic access to the Walgreens PSC list, which includes treatments for most chronic conditions and diseases.

“This is a big win for our network of nearly 300,000 U.S. physicians and their patients,” says Rose Crane, chief executive officer of Epocrates. More than 2 million pharmacy patients are enrolled in the Walgreens PSC.