FDA Launches Mobile App

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Physicians and pharmacists can use smartphones to view the latest information on drug shortages and discontinuations thanks to a new app from the FDA.

The FDA released DrugShortages , an app designed to aid clinicians in keeping up to date on the latest drug shortages, resolved shortages, and discontinued drugs.

MobiHealth News reports people interacting with the app can use it to search both alphabetically and by therapeutic category. Users can also search for generic names or active ingredients and providers can also access instructions on how to report a drug shortage or supply issue.

“The FDA understands that health care 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 in an announcement. “The new mobile app is an innovative tool that will offer easier and faster access to important drug shortage information.”

mHealth News reports that in 2012, there were 117 new drug shortages and in 2013 there were 44 drug shortages. The FDA notes that it was able to prevent 282 shortages in 2012 and 170 in 2013.

“Drugs in short supply can delay or deny needed care for patients,” said the FDA. “Drug shortages may also lead healthcare professionals to rely on alternative drug products, which may be less effective or associated with higher risks than the drug in shortage.”