Merck releases iPhone apps for its manuals

Merck & Co. has released iPhone applications for the professional and consumer editions of its Merck Manual.

The new apps, developed in collaboration with Agile Partners, are designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and contain the same material as the print publications. The apps enable users to find information, share topics via e-mail, and bookmark favorite subjects. The app for healthcare professionals has information about thousands of diseases and treatments and also has a ‘find by symptom’ section accessible from the home screen.

Noting that The Merck Manual has been available in print for more than 100 years, Robert S. Porter, MD, editor-in-chief, says in a prepared statement. “These two iPhone applications now provide the trusted information in a form that is even more valuable for consumers and healthcare professionals on the go.”

The professional edition app retails for $29.99, and the consumer edition app retails for $9.99.