Epic Systems Launches Drug Price Transparency Tool

The new Prescription Marketplace tool aims to help patients compare medication costs directly within electronic health records.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Healthcare

Epic Systems Launches Drug Price Transparency Tool

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Do you believe comparing pharmacy prices before buying medication is an effective way to save money?

Epic Systems has unveiled Prescription Marketplace, a new feature designed to provide patients with clear drug cost estimates before prescriptions are finalized. By displaying both insurance-based and cash prices, the tool aims to reduce the number of patients who skip medications due to high costs.

Why it matters

High prescription drug prices remain a primary barrier to medication adherence in the United States. This tool allows patients and providers to identify affordable options within the existing electronic health record workflow.

Epic's existing Real-Time Prescription Benefit tool saved patients $250 million in 2025. This compares to the current platform which will offer price comparisons for pharmacies like Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, Amazon Pharmacy, Costco, and LillyDirect.

The players

Epic Systems

Epic Systems is a leading developer of electronic health record software that is widely used by hospitals and clinics across the United States.

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

This is a public-benefit corporation dedicated to providing lower-cost generic medications to consumers.

Amazon Pharmacy

Amazon Pharmacy is an online retail platform that offers prescription medication delivery and pricing transparency services.

Costco

Costco is a multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs featuring pharmacies.

LillyDirect

LillyDirect is a direct-to-patient digital healthcare platform launched by Eli Lilly and Company.

The details

The tool integrates directly into the EHR system to show cost comparisons, such as an insurance-based price of $500 versus an alternative pharmacy cash price of $100. Participating retailers share their pricing data directly to help patients view these options before a script is electronically transmitted.

In 2025, the existing Real-Time Prescription Benefit tool saved patients $250 million.
March 2026 marked the period when KFF conducted data research on medication cost barriers.
October 15, 2026, saw the official unveiling of the Prescription Marketplace tool.
The Prescription Marketplace tool is scheduled to be available for use in summer 2027.

Market Landscape

This move represents a broader industry shift toward integrating consumer-facing price shopping tools into established clinical workflows. By incorporating these features, Epic Systems competes with external pharmacy benefit managers to control the digital point of sale for medications.

Patients will soon have the ability to see lower-cost pharmacy options directly during their doctor visit, potentially reducing out-of-pocket expenses. This could lead to fewer missed doses for patients who currently skip medication due to financial strain.

The takeaway

Patients should actively ask their providers to check for alternative pricing options within the EHR during appointment consultations. Increased price transparency empowers consumers to comparison shop for medications just as they would for other retail services.