Health App Wrap

Drug Pronunciations offers a reprieve from hard-to-pronounce therapies by offering audio playbacks of more than 2500 drug names. It is available for a variety of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as Android devices. It requires Android 2.1 and later, and iOS 6.0 or later.

The app content, which is verified by physicians and pharmacists, includes both generic and brand name drugs for a multitude of medications and includes those in the top 200 prescriptions. Users can listen to the drug pronunciations without Internet access, so a connection is not necessary to use the app.

In addition to the pronunciations, the app offers free updates that include new drugs and user-suggested items. An intuitive user interface allows users to browse the drug selections or enter a drug name, select the drug, and press “play” to hear the recording. To listen again, users simply press “back,” and select the drug again. Each entry also contains an additional information button.

The app’s integrated Web browser directly links to Google for additional drug information, as well as to Wikipedia, but users will want to use caution when referencing this site’s information.

Users can submit suggestions using the app’s submission page, and the developers will consider addressing them during a future update.

Cost: $2.99

Compatible With: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt. ms/1lS01PI; Google Play: http://phrmcyt.ms/1lRYIA9

SmartPager is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—compliant paging system for sending time-sensitive messages to smartphone users, even when a data connection is unavailable. Users are assigned pager numbers that are used to receive voice pages, with voice-to-text transcriptions. It also allows users to create a voice menu–based system to replace medical answering services. Users who are interested in the SmartPager service should note that the service requires a monthly subscription, and will need to be integrated and activated by the user’s information technology department.

Cost: The app is free but requires a monthly subscription to the Smart- Pager service.

Compatible With: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android devices

Download: iTunes: http://phrmcyt.ms/1glwpMD; Google Play: http://phrmcyt. ms/1glwtMx

Pharmacogenetics and Genomics brings the most recent research in this field to the iPad, allowing readers to stay up-to-date on the latest findings. The app allows for a print-like reading experience, but it permits readers to customize text size and share articles with peers. Multimedia and supplemental digital content accompany each monthly issue. An alert notification lets users know when a new edition is available. Readers can view articles online via the app, including archived articles.

Cost: The app is free. Viewing articles requires a journal subscription.

Compatible With: iPad

Download: http://phrmcyt.ms/1glzdte

Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know is a parent-centered app providing accurate vaccination information from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The app’s features include information about the vaccine, diseases the vaccine prevents, and vaccination side effects. A general safety topics section addresses concerns regarding allergies, asthma, autism, and vaccine safety. The app also contains sections explaining different types of vaccines, as well as a vaccination schedule that is sorted by age. The general information is featured in inapp videos, and parents can use the app’s note-taking feature to record questions for their practitioner.

Price: Free

Compatible With: Android devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Download: Android: http://phrmcyt.ms/1mIHTvF; iTunes: http://phrmcyt .ms/1mIHWb1