Last month, the FDA launched a new mobile application to provide the public with access to information about drug shortages. The app is mostly for health care professionals and pharmacists, who will be able to get real-time information about current shortages, resolved shortages, and discontinuations of drugs. Users can browse by a drug’s generic, name, active ingredient, or therapeutic category, and can also be used to report a suspected drug shortage or supply issue to the FDA.

Because drug shortages continue to be a problem, the FDA recently instituted its Strategic Plan for Preventing and Mitigating Drug Shortages, of which the new app is the latest tool.
The app is available for free download via iTunes and Google Play, under “FDA Drug Shortages.”