LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sep 1, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Handheldmed Inc. and Natural Standard today announced release of Natural Standard(R) for use on handheld computers and personal digital assistants. Widely considered the most authoritative and reliable reference of its kind, Natural Standard is the product of an international collaboration of top researchers and clinicians that provides impartial evidence-based information about herbs, supplements, modalities and conditions and traditional health techniques for professionals and consumers. Coupled with Handheldmed Technology, Natural Standard will for the first time be made available to mobile health professionals whenever they need it, wherever they are.
 
Almost half of Americans use complementary and alternative medicine, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Yet, most healthcare professionals have limited knowledge in this area, and published information is often inaccurate or supported only by manufacturers. "Natural Standard analyzes thousands of scientific studies to provide in-depth information about effectiveness, safety, interactions, pregnancy and breastfeeding precautions, pharmacology, history, and expert opinion," according to Ethan Basch, MD, a Chief Editor of Natural Standard who received his medical training at Harvard Medical School. Natural Standard includes contributors from more than 100 prestigious universities worldwide. Authors and editors are some of the most prominent experts in their respective fields, and include medical doctors, pharmacists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, dentists, toxicologists, nurses, and representatives from other diverse health care backgrounds.

According to Dr. Harley Goldberg, a Medical Director at Kaiser Permanente, "the lack of safety and effectiveness evidence for alternative therapies has confounded physicians and the medical community... how do we know if it is safe, or if it will help? And how do we weigh the risks and benefits? Natural Standard has provided just what the doctor ordered: an easy-to-use, evidence-based review to tell us what is known, and what is not."

Some of Natural Standard's prestigious database clients include M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente, Cornell University, Bastyr University, National Health Information LLC, CancerSource, Harvard Health Publications/Intelihealth, and many more. Now individual health care providers, and consumers may obtain this important reference and access it anytime, anywhere on their handheld computer or PDA.

According to Catherine (Kate) Ulbricht, PharmD, a Chief Editor of Natural Standard and Senior Attending Pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital, "Natural Standard can be used during an office appointment or as a research tool - users are able to make safer and more informed healthcare decisions."

About Handheldmed, Inc.

Handheldmed, Inc. provides handheld-based solutions that improve the productivity and efficiency of healthcare providers. The proprietary Handheldmed Reader makes viewing content on a Palm OS or Pocket PC device easier than ever. New features allow health care providers to find information in a fraction of the time that it would take with paper based references, or with less powerful electronic technologies. Quick-Nav links, extra-chapter links, bookmarks, user annotations and incorporation of new high-resolution image and table support distinguish this technology from less capable products in the market. In addition to its leading reference library, the Company markets and distributes Patient Tracker(TM), an end-to-end electronic patient charting solution. The Company's website, www.handheldmed.com is a leading destination for medical professionals interested in utilizing handheld computer technology in clinical settings. Handheldmed is a privately held company headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas.