Byline: John Russell

Oct. 2--Millions of patients. Thousands of drugs. Countless doctors, hospitals, clinics and procedures. Billions of pieces of medical data.

It all adds up to a fragmented U.S. health-care system that needs to move more quickly into the computer age, says the top executive at Indianapolis drug maker Eli Lilly and Co.

In a speech today at the Cleveland Clinic, Sidney Taurel, Lilly's chairman and chief executive, plans to ask the health-care industry, medical community and U.S. government to work more closely to bring about a "true information revolution in health care."

Such a move could provide a clearer picture about the safety and ...