How to Check the FDA Drug Shortage Database for Medication Availability

When a medication you or a loved one depends on suddenly isn’t available at the pharmacy, it’s not just inconvenient-it can be dangerous. That’s why the FDA drug shortage database exists. It’s the most trusted, official source in the U.S. for knowing exactly which drugs are running low, why, and when they might come back. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider, knowing how to use this tool can help you avoid treatment delays and make smarter decisions during a shortage.

What the FDA Drug Shortage Database Actually Shows

The FDA’s database doesn’t just list drugs that are hard to find. It tracks only those with a national supply issue-meaning demand is outpacing supply across the entire country. This isn’t a list of local stockouts or temporary delays at one pharmacy. It’s about real, systemic problems.

Each entry includes:

• The generic name and active ingredient
• The manufacturer’s name and the exact National Drug Code (NDC) number
• Why the shortage is happening (e.g., manufacturing delays, quality control failures, raw material shortages)
• Whether the shortage is current, resolved, or discontinued
• An estimated timeline for when the drug might be back in stock

As of mid-2024, there were around 300 active shortages at any given time. The majority-nearly 60%-are generic injectable drugs like antibiotics, painkillers, and heart medications. These are often the most critical because they’re used in hospitals and can’t be easily swapped out.

How to Access the FDA Drug Shortage Database

You don’t need special access or a login to use it. There are three ways to check:

1. Website: Go to www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm. This is the main hub. It’s updated daily.
2. Mobile App: Search for “FDA Drug Shortages” in the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app, released in 2022, lets you search by drug name, active ingredient, or category. It also sends push alerts if a drug you’re tracking goes into shortage.
3. Data Feed: For tech-savvy users or institutions, the FDA offers a downloadable dataset on data.gov. It’s updated weekly and can be used to build custom alerts or integrate into hospital systems.

The app is especially useful for busy pharmacists or nurses who need quick access during rounds. It’s free, doesn’t require registration for basic searches, and works on iOS 12+ and Android 8+ devices.

How to Search Effectively

Just typing in “insulin” or “vancomycin” won’t always give you the full picture. Here’s how to get accurate results:

• Use the generic name. Brand names like “Lantus” aren’t always listed. Search for “insulin glargine” instead.
• Check the NDC. A drug might be in shortage in one form but not another. For example, a 500mg tablet might be unavailable, but the 250mg version is fine. The NDC number tells you exactly which version is affected.
• Filter by manufacturer. Since July 2024, you can filter results by the company that makes the drug. This helps if you know your pharmacy sources from a specific supplier.
• Look at the reason. If the shortage is due to a manufacturing defect, other drugs made on the same line might be at risk too. If it’s a raw material issue, it could affect multiple similar drugs.

For example, in April 2024, a shortage was reported for insulin glargine with NDC 0002-8745-01. Because the FDA database listed the exact NDC, hospitals were able to switch to a different manufacturer’s version before patients were impacted.

FDA vs. ASHP: Which One Should You Trust?

You might also see drug shortage info on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) website. So which one do you use?

Here’s the difference:

Best practice? Use both. Check the FDA database first to confirm if a shortage is real and official. Then go to ASHP to find out what you can use instead, how to adjust doses, or what alternatives are safe.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced professionals get tripped up. Here are the most common errors:

• Assuming “resolved” means the drug is back in full supply. “Resolved” just means supply meets demand. It doesn’t mean shelves are full again. Stock might still be low at your local pharmacy.
• Ignoring the NDC. A drug like metformin has dozens of NDCs. One might be short, others aren’t. Always check the exact code your pharmacy uses.
• Not checking extended use dates. Some drugs have FDA-approved extended expiration dates during shortages. You can search for these separately on the FDA’s “Search List of Extended Use Dates” page.
• Waiting too long to check. Shortages can escalate quickly. Don’t wait until your prescription runs out. Check weekly if you rely on a drug that’s historically been in short supply.

What to Do If You Spot a Shortage Not Listed

If you believe a drug is in short supply but it’s not on the FDA list, you can report it. This is especially important for community pharmacists or patients who notice widespread unavailability.

Send an email to [email protected] with:

• Drug name and strength
• Manufacturer name
• NDC number
• How long you’ve seen the shortage
• How many pharmacies you’ve checked

The FDA reviews all reports and adds verified shortages to the database within 5-7 business days. This helps other providers and patients nationwide.

Limitations and Real-World Gaps

Even the best system has flaws. The FDA database has a 7-10 day lag in reporting. Manufacturers often wait to notify the FDA until they’re sure the shortage won’t be fixed quickly. That means by the time it shows up online, the problem is already affecting patients.

Also, the “estimated duration” field is only about 79% accurate-especially for shortages reported through regular channels. Those reported directly through the FDA’s NextGen portal are more reliable.

Another gap: compounded medications. These are custom-made drugs, often used when commercial versions aren’t available. But only 22% of compounding pharmacies report these to the FDA, so they rarely appear in the database.

And while the FDA database tells you what’s short, it doesn’t predict what’s coming next. That’s why analysts say it’s reactive, not preventive. The FDA is testing AI tools to forecast shortages, but those aren’t live yet.

How to Stay Updated Without Constantly Checking

You don’t have to log in every day. Here’s how to automate it:

• Subscribe to FDA email alerts. Go to the FDA website and sign up for updates sent every Tuesday and Friday. You can choose to get alerts for all shortages or only specific drugs.
• Use the mobile app’s push notifications. Add your critical medications to your watchlist. You’ll get a notification the moment a shortage is confirmed.
• Set up a weekly reminder. If you’re managing care for someone on a high-risk drug, put a calendar alert to check the database every Monday.

Pro tip: Print or save a screenshot of the drug’s status page if you’re going to be away from your phone or computer for a while. That way, you have a reference if the pharmacy calls.

What’s Next for the FDA Drug Shortage Database

The FDA is working on improvements. By early 2025, it plans to link with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s distributor database to track where shortages are happening geographically. That could eventually help you know if a drug is short in your state or just your county.

They’re also testing barcode scanning in the mobile app. In the future, you might be able to scan the label on your pill bottle and instantly see if it’s affected.

Funding is secure for now-the database got $12.7 million in 2024, up 15% from the year before. That means it’s here to stay, and it’s getting better.