International Oncology Network (ION) Partners with Altos Solutions for Web-based EMR Offering

August 20, 2009

VALLEY FORGE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2009-- International Oncology Network (ION), a business unit of AmerisourceBergen’s Specialty Group, has entered into an agreement with Altos Solutions that gives ION’s membership of community-based oncology practices preferred access to OncoEMR, Altos Solutions’ electronic medical records (EMR) system.

ION is the country’s largest physician services organization dedicated solely to oncology, with a membership that encompasses more than 3,200 practices nationwide. The company is dedicated to helping its members make strategic and informed decisions to improve their practices. OncoEMR’s ability to streamline clinical management through a Web-based application that requires no maintenance and minimal capital outlay was a key factor in ION’s decision.

“Our physician members told us they want the benefits of a traditional EMR system without having to worry about setting up their own servers and installing their own software. OncoEMR meets all those needs with its Web-based, subscription model,” said Mark Santos, executive vice president and general manager for ION. “And as the first oncology-specific EMR to run exclusively online, OncoEMR fits exactly with the way our members run their practices.”

The Web-based design and efficient processes of OncoEMR reduce the cost of technology for the practice. The system also allows oncologists and their staff secure access to patient information from any location. Additionally, the program’s charge-capturing and expense-tracking capabilities allow OncoEMR the ability to increase practice revenue.

“OncoEMR will play a substantial role in acclimating the ION oncology practices to electronic medical records. It will provide a technologically sophisticated way for the oncology practices to get a complete view of day-to-day operations,” noted Santos.

“Partnering with ION and providing its membership with access to OncoEMR is a great example of how physician service providers and technology developers can work together to play a small role in advancing patient care,” said John Willey, president of Altos Solutions. “We’re extremely proud to establish a relationship with the clear market leader in ION and look forward to working with the company to support the success of community oncologists.”

About Altos Solutions

Altos Solutions was formed from the team that founded Vital Software, the first oncology-specific EMR solution. Its products—OncoFlow, OncoStation and OncoManager—were introduced at the Scripps Cancer Conference, La Jolla, CA in January 1994.

The goal of Altos Solutions is to deliver high quality, always available, Web-based EMR systems that are comprehensive, easy-to-use and, most of all, inexpensive. Based on this objective and relying on over 10 years of market experience, Altos Solutions created OncoEMR, which accommodates the complexities of large clinics while catering to the minimum requirements of a single physician practice. For more information, visit www.altossolutions.com.

About ION and AmerisourceBergen

ION, a business unit of AmerisourceBergen Corporation’s Specialty Group, is a diversified physician services network whose membership represents about half of the private practice oncologists in the United States. The company is committed to helping its members make strategic and informed decisions that improve their practices, and is an integral part to the solutions and services provided to oncologists by AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group. For more information, visit www.iononline.com.

AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets. Servicing both pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy automation and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services. With more than $70 billion in annual revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, Penn., and employs approximately 10,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #26 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.

Source: AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen
Nora Beger, 610-717-2384
nbeger@amerisourcebergen.com