The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched the agency’s first mobile application specifically designed to speed public access to valuable information about drug shortages. The app identifies current drug shortages, resolved shortages, and discontinuations of drug products.
“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.”
App users can search or browse by a drug’s generic name or active ingredient, and they can browse by therapeutic category. The app can also be used to report a suspected drug shortage or supply issue to the FDA. The app is available for free download via iTunes (for Apple devices) and the Google Play store (for Android devices) by searching “FDA Drug Shortages.”
Another new resource from the FDA is an infographic on drug shortages. Access at http://1.usa.gov/1byE61c.
