On Thursday GoodRx, best known for its drug-cost transparency tools, announced a platform for providers, allowing them to search for medication-cost information during appointments with patients.

Provider Mode, which is now launching out of beta, lets providers or other healthcare workers to search for medications at the point of care. They can input information on location, dosing and quantity, and then print out coupons or send them to patients via text or email. 

The medication page will also include a comparison tool of other drugs in the same class, home delivery options and informational articles about the medication for patients. 

"We wanted to improve this experience for the provider where they can actually give all of these cost savings opportunities and information and have that conversation at the point of care during the visit, instead of once the patient gets to the pharmacy," Dr. Preeti Parikh, executive medical director at GoodRx, told MobiHealthNews.

With name brand drugs, GoodRx will enter into strategic partnerships where pharmaceutical companies can sponsor patient savings programs on the medication information page.

Alongside the Provider Mode launch, the company announced a collaboration with Biogen for its multiple sclerosis drug Vumerity whereby providers will be able to submit enrollment forms for the specialty therapy through the portal.

"Our hopes are that it will not be as big of an administrative burden on the provider, and then it can get the medication to the actual patient in a very timely manner, instead of three to four weeks," Parikh said.

By the end of the year, GoodRx plans to add new features to Provider Mode, including options to create an account where providers can verify their prescriber status. The company will use previously announced partnerships with RxVantage and AssistRx to develop tools for communicating with pharma representatives and finding information about a patient's insurance coverage and prior authorization requirements. 

THE LARGER TREND

Like a number of other digital health companies this year, GoodRx recently approved layoffs of approximately 140 employees, about 16% of its workforce. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it was focusing on its prescriptions business and its pharma-manufacturer solutions segment, as well as improving consumer engagement.

Though GoodRx reported "disappointing" financial results during its second quarter, cofounder and co-CEO Trevor Bezdek said there was an "enormous opportunity" for its provider-facing tools during an earnings call.