Elsevier, the leading global publisher of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services, has announced the acquisition of Shanghai Datong Medical Information Technology Co., Ltd., a leading drug decision support provider in China. Datong's products enable Elsevier to enter the emerging clinical decision support (CDS) market in China, helping Chinese hospitals to improve their quality of care through better drug usage and reduced prescription errors.

"For many years, Datong's products have contributed significantly to our hospital's drug usage monitoring system," said Dr. Yin Yiqing, Head of Fudang Zhongshan Hospital IT center, a leading hospital in China. "We are happy to learn that Datong has joined Elsevier as we believe that together they can develop more advanced products that benefit hospitals and patients."

Datong's flagship product "Clinical Drug Consultation and Safety Monitoring System" is embedded in the hospital computerized physician order system and provides drug based alerts and warnings at order entry as well as drug reference information. Launched in early 2002, the product is used by hospitals in 123 cities across 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipal cities in China. Datong's new products "Utilization Analysis and Controls System for Anti-Bacteria Agents" and "Prescription Review and Evaluation Program" are unique tools which help hospitals comply with new drug usage safety regulations.

"Healthcare reform in China has put increasing requirements on Chinese hospitals and pharmacies to reduce drug related medical errors, and improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of drug treatment," said Victor Lam, Managing Director of Elsevier Health Sciences, Greater China & Korea region. "Elsevier-Datong will endeavor to provide better products and services to hospitals, users and health information system partners in the future."

After the acquisition, Elsevier will integrate its global advanced CDS content and technology with Datong's locally-tailored products and services to help Chinese hospitals and pharmacies to achieve reform objectives.

Datong's original CEO, Mr. Wen Chuanmin, will become the new chief scientist of Elsevier Datong. Mr. Wen said of the acquisition, "We understand our responsibility is as noble and important as physicians'. We will develop more comprehensive information product and service to provide more efficient methodologies for hospital and regulatory bodies to monitor of medical safety."

Financial details of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Source:
Tom Reller
Elsevier