FDA launches new mobile app

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched its first mobile app on Wednesday, which is designed to increase public access to important information on drug shortages.

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

The app identifies current drug shortages, resolved shortages and drug product discontinuations. It was developed to inform on drug shortages as part of the FDA’s efforts outlined in the Strategic Plan for Preventing and Mitigating Drug Shortages.

Drug shortages can deny or delay the care patients' needs and can lead health care professionals to rely on less effective drug products or products with higher risks.

App users can search a drug’s generic name or active ingredient and browse by therapeutic category. In addition, suspected drug shortages or supply issues can be reported to the FDA through the app.

The app can be downloaded for free on iTunes and the Google Play store by searching “FDA Drug Shortages.”