Google launches online medical records service in US

Internet search giant Google Inc has launched a medical records service that lets users in the US store and manage their healthcare information online.

Called `Google Health', the service currently lets users link information from a handful of pharmacies and health care providers, including Quest Diagnostics labs.

Although Microsoft Corporation's HealthVault and AOL co-founder Steve Case's  Revolution Health offer similar services, Google claims to be different in its user interface and public availability of its application programme interface (API).

Google also allayed concerns over privacy, saying it has built a secure computer platform separate from its search system to host medical records as part of an emphasis on keeping the health information protected.

"We have put in place the firmest privacy policy we can construct," Google vice president of search product and user experience Marissa Mayer told reporters at its headquarters in Mountain View, California.

"It is our highest level of security." Google Health has links to pharmacies, clinics and diagnostic labs.