Epocrates have released their iPhone version as a downloadble, installable application. This means that you no longer need internet access to use ePocrates on the iPhone:

Epocrates Rx software for iPhone is now available for download for FREE!
Epocrates Rx allows for instant access to drug Information, pill ID,
drug Interactions and reference formulary Information - all without the
need for Internet connectivity!

This launch is due in large part to the overwhelming demand and passion
of Epocrates users like your readers! We sincerely thank your coverage
for driving Apple’s decision to support our development and even feature
Epocrates in the App store for the Health & Fitness category!

We designed our software specifically for the sleek and user-friendly
interface of the iPhone platform taking advantage of the innovative
interface and computing power. Be one of the first to see it at
http://www.epocrates.com/products/rx/iphone.html.

Demo of Epocrates running on the iPhone:

Walt Mossbery has said the iPhone will be going 3G in 60 days.

The iPhone should really have been 3G from day one. The entire strategy evolved around the use of the browser for 3rd parties (like ePocrates) to develop apps. But the GPRS and EDGE networks are too slow to run Web 2.0 style apps in the browser, hence the outcry and demand for the Apple SDK.

The release of the SDK and the lack of iPhone apps could have been avoided if the iPhone was 3G from day one. Perhaps time was a factor getting everything sorted for 3G from the get go. Perhaps they thought the phone networks didn’t have enought 3G coverage at the time of the official iPhone launch - do they now?

With a 3G iPhone - will you still want a non-browser version of ePocrates? Do cell phone bans mean that you sill want a non-browser version? Or is it really all about speed…

Epocrates have just sent me an email:

We’re excited to let you know that Epocrates, Inc. was one of only five
companies, including Salesforce.com, AOL, EA and Sega, to be highlighted by
Steve Jobs during the iPhone Software Roadmap media briefing. Epocrates has
already begun working directly with Apple to create a downloadable version of
its clinical products that can be downloaded directly to the iPhone or iPod
Touch.

In the meantime, you can view epocrates on the iPhone Safari browser by pointing it at m.epocrates.com.

View the entire Apple SDK Event: http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/mar/rtp20e92/m_08770365506i_350_ref.mov

Life Record have a video on YouTube of their EMR running through an iPhone:

Update July 08:It’s out! Download epocrates for your iPhone for free here.

Update April 08: It’s not out yet, but you can see Epcrates running on the iPhone here (not in the browser but as an actual application)

I’ve been getting a few emails about whether ePocrates is going to be available for iPhone. The only information so far from ePocrates is from their FAQ:

http://epocrates1.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/epocrates1.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=952

Question
Does Epocrates work on the new iPhone?

Answer
Thank you for your interest in using Epocrates products on the new iPhone.

Please note: Be sure to click the link below to receive iPhone support updates via email.

Users can access Epocrates Online clinical content via the iPhone browser. Simply go to Online.Epocrates.com to login (current users) or register (new users).

You cannot currently download our PDA applications onto your iPhone. However, if you are interested in accessing our content on your iPhone without requiring wireless access, we encourage you to register your request with Apple at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html.

There is also a petition online at Geeknuz

Anne Patterson from Unbound Medicine got in contact to say:

Unbound Medicine offers a wealth of medical information available on iPhone. Clinicians can quickly access continually updated information on diseases, drugs, or tests and keep up with the medical literature.

Unbound Medicine’s customized iPhone interface takes full advantage of the built-in Safari™ web browser to give health professionals quick answers over cellular and WiFi networks. Navigational tools include powerful search software, handy indexes, cross-links, and related content. A live demo is available at http://www.unboundmedicine.com/iphone.

The iPhone is a new convergent device recently announced by Apple Inc. The device will incorporate a mobile phone, an iPod, an email client, web browser and various other ‘widgets’ designed to help you manage your daily life.

Convergent devices like this are not new and have been used by doctors for many years now. I’ve been using a convergent phone-come-PDA for many years now and am currently the owner of a Windows Mobile i-Mate K-JAM.

What makes the iPhone special is that it seems to have caught the imagination of tech-savvy doctors in a meme similar to that created by the old Palm PDAs of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a slight hitch in the plan at the moment. According to some reports, the iPhone will be a ‘closed’ system and users will not be able to install 3rd party applications.

Does this mean no medical software? Well, it looks that way at the moment but there’s no technical reason why Apple can’t start working with the medical software companies to produce apps that will work on the iPhone. According to David Pogue, this isn’t going to happen, but there has been no official word on this yet.

Another alternative is to deliver the apps through the browser interface. These could be off-line or live via the phone’s data connection. As most medical software apps are really just e-Books, then this is certainly a viable option.