Physicians Interactive Awarded First-Ever Patent for Medication eSampling

MARLBOROUGH, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/06/12 -- Physicians Interactive (PI), the leading provider of online and mobile clinical resources and solutions for medical professionals, today announced at the ePharma Summit in New York City that it has been awarded with the first-ever medication eSampling and eCouponing patent. This unique patent protects and recognizes PIs innovative and proprietary online and mobile eSampling and patient assistance solution. This solution provides physicians with direct and convenient access to order the broadest selection of pharmaceutical samples along with printed, cost-saving medication vouchers/coupons for their patients. PI is the industry leading provider of eSampling services for physicians in the U.S., utilizing a unique channel distribution network of healthcare partners which, offers over 80 brand-name medications.

"Physicians Interactive understands that the traditional approach to pharmaceutical sampling distribution is no longer the most convenient option for time-strapped physicians who may be unable to meet with every pharmaceutical sales representative who offers the samples their patients need," said Donato Tramuto, CEO and Vice Chairman at PI. "The patent awards help protect our ability to provide physicians with convenient, 24 hour access to a virtual sample closet service that is unlike any other delivery method for medication sample distribution, which is tailored to fit their needs while establishing a highly attractive single source for their most desired samples. This technology provides a critically important vehicle for patients to discover, become informed about and discuss new medication options with their physicians directly at the point of care."

This announcement supports recent survey findings from Physicians Interactive, which revealed that 89 percent of healthcare professionals believe it is important for pharmaceutical companies to participate in eSampling, an ordering approach which allows eligible physicians to order pharmaceutical samples via a web-based system. Using this secure, PDMA and Part 11 regulatory-compliant electronic drug sampling platform, physicians can instantly send electronic sample requests to the pharmaceutical companys sample fulfillment partner of choice to ensure samples are delivered to the medical practice safely and securely. In addition to reducing the number of wasted samples and the risk of physicians stockpiling samples that can quickly become out of date, PIs technology allows pharmaceutical companies to intelligently expand their sample reach to prescribers who are geographically challenging to reach in person or no longer have the time to meet with sales representatives. The patent itself will help ensure the continued growth of this unique platform as it will protect the ongoing, long-term investment made by Physicians Interactive.

"This patent helps to demonstrate how the pharmaceutical industry is listening to physicians feedback and is starting to update its services to reflect their needs," said Tom Quinn, General Manager at PI. "Our eSampling platform provides samples on demand through the largest channel distribution network in the market, and is designed to enhance to effectiveness of the prescribing process for physicians and pharmaceutical companies. This extraordinary technology not only controls sample allocation across all channels via our enhanced business rules engine, it provides advanced reporting capabilities and insightful business intelligence on which products are being requested most often and which physicians prefer physical samples, vouchers and/or coupons."

To learn more about Physicians Interactive please visit www.physiciansinteractive.com.

About Physicians Interactive
Physicians Interactive, a division of Skyscape.com Inc., is the leading provider of online and mobile clinical resources and solutions that help medical professionals, anytime, anywhere, provide better patient care. PI uses the full power of our worldwide network of healthcare professionals and life sciences companies together in ways that will change the practice and business of medicine, for the better. PI has developed a foundation of user-generated, proprietary and public data that powers a networked suite of transactional applications, including eSampling, eCouponing, interactive learning programs, mobile clinical decision support, and integrated electronic health record solutions. Skyscape.com Inc., is subsidiary of Physicians Interactive Holdings Inc., owned by Perseus LLC, a merchant bank and private equity fund management company. For more information about PI, visit www.physiciansinteractive.com.