How to Check FDA Drug Shortage Database for Medication Availability

When a life-saving medication runs out, it’s not just an inconvenience-it’s a crisis. In 2024, over 298 drugs were in short supply across the U.S., with many of them being essential injectables like insulin, antibiotics, and chemotherapy agents. If you’re a healthcare provider, pharmacist, or even a patient managing a chronic condition, knowing how to check the FDA drug shortage database can make the difference between getting treatment on time or facing dangerous delays.

What the FDA Drug Shortage Database Actually Shows

The FDA’s official Drug Shortage Database isn’t just a list-it’s a real-time tracker of medications that are in short supply nationwide. It’s updated daily and includes every drug where demand exceeds supply across the entire country. This isn’t the same as local stockouts or temporary pharmacy delays. The FDA only lists shortages that affect the entire U.S. supply chain.

Each entry includes critical details: the generic name of the drug, the exact National Drug Code (NDC) number, the manufacturer’s name, why the shortage is happening, and how long it’s expected to last. About 68% of shortages are due to manufacturing problems-like equipment failures, contamination, or quality control issues-not because there’s a lack of raw materials or demand spikes.

You’ll also see if a drug’s expiration date has been extended by the FDA. Around 7% of listed drugs get this extension, meaning they’re still safe to use past the printed date. This can be a lifesaver when alternatives aren’t available.

How to Access the FDA Drug Shortage Database

There are three ways to check the database, and all are free:

1. Website: Go to www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm. This is the most detailed version.
2. Mobile App: Download the free "FDA Drug Shortages" app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It’s been downloaded over 150,000 times and works on iOS 12+ and Android 8+.
3. Data.gov: For tech users or hospitals, the raw dataset is updated weekly on data.gov if you need to pull data into your own systems.

The app is especially useful for quick checks. You can search by drug name, active ingredient, or therapeutic category-like "antibiotics" or "diabetes meds." It also sends push notifications when a shortage you’re monitoring is updated or resolved.

Step-by-Step: How to Find a Specific Drug

Follow these steps to check if your medication is affected:

1. Search by generic name. Type in the drug’s generic name-not the brand. For example, search "insulin glargine," not "Lantus." Brand names aren’t always listed.
2. Check the NDC number. A drug might be short in one form but not another. If you use the 500mg tablet, but the shortage is only for the 250mg capsule, you’re still good. NDC numbers are unique to each dosage, packaging, and manufacturer.
3. Read the "Reason for Shortage." The FDA uses codes like "Manufacturing Issue" or "Quality Control Failure." If the reason is "raw material shortage," other drugs made with the same ingredient might be at risk too.
4. Look at the status. "Current" means it’s still short. "Resolved" means supply has met demand-but it doesn’t always mean shelves are full. "Discontinued" means the manufacturer stopped making it permanently.
5. Check extended use dates. Go to the separate "Search List of Extended Use Dates" page on the FDA site. If your drug’s expiration date was extended, you can legally use it past the printed date.

Why the FDA Database Isn’t Enough on Its Own

The FDA database is the most authoritative source-but it’s not perfect. It doesn’t tell you what to do when a drug is short. That’s where other resources come in.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has a similar list, but it includes more drugs-about 15-20% more-because it tracks regional and temporary shortages too. ASHP also gives practical advice: which alternatives to use, how to adjust dosing, and what to tell patients. A 2024 University of Michigan study found that 92% of healthcare providers prefer ASHP for clinical decisions, even though they use the FDA database to verify if a shortage is real.

The FDA database also has a lag. Manufacturers report shortages, but it can take 7-10 days for the FDA to confirm and post them. Dr. Erin Fox from the University of Utah found that in over half the cases, ASHP reported a shortage before the FDA did.

And here’s another gap: the FDA doesn’t track compounded drugs or regional distribution problems. If your local pharmacy can’t get a shipment, it might not show up on the FDA site until it becomes a nationwide issue.

What to Do When You Find a Shortage

If you find your medication on the list:

• Don’t panic. A shortage doesn’t mean it’s completely gone-it just means it’s scarce.
• Call your pharmacy. Ask if they have stock or know when it’s coming in. Some pharmacies get allocations from distributors.
• Ask your doctor about alternatives. For example, if insulin glargine is short, insulin detemir or degludec might be options. Don’t switch on your own-talk to your provider.
• Check extended use dates. If your prescription bottle says "expires 10/2024," but the FDA says it’s extended to 12/2024, you can still use it.
• Report a shortage if you see one. If your pharmacy is out and it’s not listed on the FDA site, email [email protected]. Include the drug name, NDC, and how long it’s been out.

Common Mistakes People Make

Many users misinterpret what they see:

• "Resolved" means it’s back in stock. Not always. It just means supply is meeting demand. There might still be limited availability.
• "No shortage listed" means it’s available. False. The database only shows nationwide shortages. Your local pharmacy might still be out of stock.
• Ignoring NDC numbers. If you’re on the 10mg tablet and the shortage is only for the 20mg, you’re fine. Always check the exact formulation.
• Not checking the "reason." If the shortage is due to a contaminated batch, other drugs from the same manufacturer might be next.

What’s New and Coming

The FDA is working on improvements:

• Enhanced search (launched July 2024): Now you can filter by manufacturer, dosage form, and therapeutic category.
• Barcode scanning in the app (coming 2025): Point your phone at the pill bottle to instantly check if that specific NDC is affected.
• AI prediction tools (testing in 2024): The FDA is testing models that could predict shortages before they happen-using data like manufacturing delays, supplier issues, and demand trends.
• Integration with wholesale distributors: Starting in Q1 2025, the FDA will link with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s database to track where drugs are actually being shipped.

Bottom Line: Use It Wisely

The FDA Drug Shortage Database is the most reliable federal tool for knowing which drugs are in short supply. But it’s not a cure-all. Use it with ASHP’s clinical guidance, talk to your pharmacist, and don’t rely on it alone.

For most people, the mobile app is the easiest way to stay informed. Set up alerts for your key medications. Check it once a week if you’re on a chronic drug. If you’re a provider, make it part of your daily workflow.

Drug shortages aren’t going away. But with the right tools and habits, you can stay ahead of them.