FDA Launches Drug Shortage App

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched the agency’s first mobile app specifically designed to speed public access to valuable information about drug shortages.

The free app identifies current drug shortages, resolved shortages and discontinuations of drug products. App users can search or browse by a drug’s generic name or active ingredient, and browse by therapeutic category. The app can also be used to report a suspected drug shortage or supply issue to the FDA.

“The FDA understands that healthcare professionals and pharmacists need real-time information about drug shortages to make treatment decisions,” said Valerie Jensen, associate director of the Drug Shortage Staff in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The new mobile app is an innovative tool that will offer easier and faster access to important drug shortage information.”

The app was developed to improve access to information about drug shortages, as part of the FDA’s efforts outlined in the Strategic Plan for Preventing and Mitigating Drug Shortages.

It is available for Apple iOS devices via iTunes here and for Android devices at the Google Play store here.