Unofficial FDA MCP Server

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides advanced pharmaceutical intelligence through the FDA's openFDA database, Orange Book, and Purple Book. This server combines real-time data access with locally-cached patent, exclusivity, and biosimilar data to deliver actionable insights for:

• Drug Safety & Adverse Events: Real-time FAERS data and safety alerts
• Patent Intelligence: Patent cliffs, loss of exclusivity (LOE) analysis, generic entry forecasting
• Therapeutic Equivalents: AB-rated generic alternatives and substitutability
• Biosimilar Intelligence: Biosimilar approvals and interchangeability designations
• Regulatory Intelligence: FDA approvals, recalls, and drug shortages
• Competitive Analysis: Market exclusivity periods and competitive landscape

Key Features:

• Fast Queries: <10ms response time for Orange/Purple Book data after initial setup
• Auto-Updates: Automatic monthly data downloads and caching
• Comprehensive Coverage: 47,000+ drug products, 21,000+ patents, 2,000+ biologics
• Zero Configuration: Works out of the box with automatic data downloads

Usage

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fda-mcp-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/fda-mcp-server/build/index.js"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

What's New: Orange Book & Purple Book Integration

This server now includes comprehensive FDA Orange Book and Purple Book data for pharmaceutical intelligence:

Orange Book (Drug Patents & Generic Equivalents)

• 47,486 drug products with approval dates and marketing status
• 21,126 patents with expiration dates and use codes
• 2,444 exclusivity periods (orphan, pediatric, new clinical studies, etc.)
• Therapeutic Equivalence (TE) Codes: Identify AB-rated generics pharmacists can substitute
• Patent Cliff Analysis: Forecast generic entry dates and loss of exclusivity

Purple Book (Biologics & Biosimilars)

• 2,168 biological products including reference products and biosimilars
• Interchangeability designations: Know which biosimilars can be substituted by pharmacists
• Licensing dates and applicants for all biologics
• Reference product mapping: Links biosimilars to their reference products
• Market exclusivity tracking including orphan drug exclusivity

API Reference

Tool: fda_info

Unified tool for FDA drug information lookup, safety data, and pharmaceutical intelligence.

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
method	string	Yes	-	Operation type: lookup_drug, search_orange_book, get_therapeutic_equivalents, get_patent_exclusivity, analyze_patent_cliff, search_purple_book, get_biosimilar_interchangeability
search_term	string	Conditional	-	Search term or complex query (supports AND/OR, wildcards, ranges, field combinations)
drug_name	string	Conditional	-	Drug name for Orange/Purple Book searches
nda_number	string	Conditional	-	NDA number for patent/exclusivity lookup
reference_product	string	Conditional	-	Reference product name for biosimilar interchangeability
include_generics	boolean	No	true	Include generic products in Orange Book searches
years_ahead	integer	No	5	Years ahead for patent cliff analysis
search_type	string	No	general	Type of search: general, label, adverse_events, recalls, shortages
fields_for_general	string	No	-	Specific field for general drug data searches (34 available fields)
fields_for_adverse_events	string	No	-	Specific field for adverse events searches (66 available fields)
fields_for_label	string	No	-	Specific field for label searches (167 available fields)
fields_for_recalls	string	No	-	Specific field for recalls and enforcement searches (39 available fields)
fields_for_shortages	string	No	-	Specific field for drug shortages searches (44 available fields)
limit	integer	No	10	Maximum results to return (1-100)

Methods

OpenFDA API Methods

Unified Drug Lookup (lookup_drug)

Search for comprehensive drug information with different search types and optional field targeting:

Comprehensive Search (All Fields):

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "aspirin",
  "search_type": "general"
}

Field-Specific Search:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Discontinued",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.marketing_status"
}

Complex Boolean Query:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "openfda.generic_name:aspirin+AND+products.dosage_form:TABLET",
  "search_type": "general"
}

Drug Labels and Prescribing Information:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Lipitor",
  "search_type": "label"
}

Label Field-Specific Search:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "pregnancy",
  "search_type": "label",
  "fields_for_label": "warnings"
}

Adverse Events and Safety Data:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "metformin",
  "search_type": "adverse_events",
  "limit": 25
}

Drug Recalls and Safety Alerts:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "insulin",
  "search_type": "recalls",
  "limit": 20
}

Drug Shortages:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "bupivacaine",
  "search_type": "shortages",
  "limit": 10
}

Orange Book Methods (Patents & Generic Equivalents)

The Orange Book provides information on drug patents, exclusivity, and therapeutic equivalence. Data is automatically downloaded and cached locally for fast queries (<10ms after initial setup).

Search Orange Book (search_orange_book)

Search for brand and generic drug products by name:

{
  "method": "search_orange_book",
  "drug_name": "Lipitor",
  "include_generics": true
}

Returns brand products and generic alternatives with approval dates, applicants, TE codes, and marketing status.

Get Therapeutic Equivalents (get_therapeutic_equivalents)

Find AB-rated generic equivalents that are therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug:

{
  "method": "get_therapeutic_equivalents",
  "drug_name": "fluoxetine"
}

Returns the Reference Listed Drug (RLD) plus all AB-rated and non-AB generics. AB-rated generics can be substituted by pharmacists.

Get Patent & Exclusivity Data (get_patent_exclusivity)

Look up all patents and exclusivity periods for a drug by NDA number:

{
  "method": "get_patent_exclusivity",
  "nda_number": "020702"
}

Returns active patents with expiration dates, patent use codes, and FDA exclusivity periods.

Analyze Patent Cliff (analyze_patent_cliff)

Analyze when a drug will lose patent/exclusivity protection and face generic competition:

{
  "method": "analyze_patent_cliff",
  "drug_name": "Trikafta",
  "years_ahead": 10
}

Returns patent timeline, next expiration dates, estimated generic entry date, and years until loss of exclusivity (LOE).

Purple Book Methods (Biologics & Biosimilars)

The Purple Book provides information on licensed biological products and biosimilar/interchangeable products. Data is automatically downloaded monthly and cached locally.

Search Purple Book (search_purple_book)

Search for biological products and their biosimilars:

{
  "method": "search_purple_book",
  "drug_name": "adalimumab"
}

Returns the reference biological product and all approved biosimilars with licensing dates, applicants, and interchangeability status.

Get Biosimilar Interchangeability (get_biosimilar_interchangeability)

Check which biosimilars are designated as interchangeable (can be substituted by pharmacists):

{
  "method": "get_biosimilar_interchangeability",
  "reference_product": "Humira"
}

Returns interchangeable biosimilars (pharmacy can substitute without prescriber) and similar but non-interchangeable biosimilars (requires new prescription).

Complex Query Syntax

The FDA MCP Server supports powerful openFDA query syntax for advanced searches:

Boolean Operators

AND Queries - Find results matching multiple criteria:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "openfda.generic_name:ibuprofen+AND+products.dosage_form:TABLET",
  "search_type": "general"
}

OR Queries - Find results matching any criteria:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "openfda.generic_name:ibuprofen+OR+openfda.brand_name:advil",
  "search_type": "general"
}

Wildcard Patterns

Prefix wildcards - Find names starting with a pattern:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "child*",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "openfda.brand_name"
}

General wildcards - Find any field containing a pattern:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "*5*",
  "search_type": "general"
}

Range Queries

Age ranges - Find adverse events for specific age groups:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "patient.patientonsetage:[65+TO+*]",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Date ranges - Find events within date ranges:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "receiptdate:[2023-01-01+TO+2023-12-31]",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Special Modifiers

Field exists - Find records where a field has any value:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "_exists_:serious",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Field missing - Find records where a field is empty:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "_missing_:companynumb",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Complex Multi-Field Examples

Advanced adverse events - Serious events in elderly patients:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "patient.drug.medicinalproduct:acetaminophen+AND+serious:1+AND+patient.patientonsetage:[65+TO+*]",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Grouped conditions - Multiple drug names with conditions:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "(patient.drug.medicinalproduct:(cetirizine+OR+loratadine))+AND+serious:2",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Geographic filtering - Events by country with drug and severity:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "occurcountry:US+AND+patient.drug.medicinalproduct:lipitor+AND+serious:1",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Usage Examples

Comprehensive Drug Search (All Fields)

// Search across all FDA database fields (267 total fields)
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "aspirin",
  "search_type": "general"
}

Field-Specific Searches

General Search Fields (34 available):

// Find all discontinued drugs
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Discontinued",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.marketing_status"
}

// Search by manufacturer
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Pfizer",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "openfda.manufacturer_name"
}

// Find drugs by dosage form
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "TABLET",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.dosage_form"
}

Adverse Events Fields (66 available):

// Find headache reactions
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "headache",
  "search_type": "adverse_events",
  "fields_for_adverse_events": "patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt"
}

// Find serious adverse events
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "1",
  "search_type": "adverse_events",
  "fields_for_adverse_events": "serious"
}

// Find events by patient gender (1=male, 2=female)
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "1",
  "search_type": "adverse_events",
  "fields_for_adverse_events": "patient.patientsex"
}

Label Search Fields (167 available):

// Find labels with specific warnings
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "pregnancy",
  "search_type": "label",
  "fields_for_label": "warnings"
}

// Search for drug interactions
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "warfarin",
  "search_type": "label",
  "fields_for_label": "drug_interactions"
}

// Find dosage information for specific conditions
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "pediatric",
  "search_type": "label",
  "fields_for_label": "dosage_and_administration"
}

Recalls Fields (39 available):

// Find recalls by recalling firm
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Pfizer",
  "search_type": "recalls",
  "fields_for_recalls": "recalling_firm"
}

// Find Class I recalls (most serious)
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "I",
  "search_type": "recalls",
  "fields_for_recalls": "classification"
}

// Search recalls by product description
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "tablet",
  "search_type": "recalls",
  "fields_for_recalls": "product_description"
}

Shortages Fields (44 available):

// Find current shortages by status
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Currently+in+Shortage",
  "search_type": "shortages",
  "fields_for_shortages": "status"
}

// Search shortages by therapeutic category
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "CEPHALOSPORIN",
  "search_type": "shortages",
  "fields_for_shortages": "therapeutic_category"
}

// Find shortages by company name
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Pfizer",
  "search_type": "shortages",
  "fields_for_shortages": "company_name"
}

Detailed Drug Label

// Get FDA-approved prescribing information for Tylenol
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Tylenol",
  "search_type": "label"
}

Safety and Adverse Events

// Check adverse events for ibuprofen
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "ibuprofen",
  "search_type": "adverse_events"
}

Drug Recalls

// Search for recalls related to blood pressure medications
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "lisinopril",
  "search_type": "recalls",
  "limit": 10
}

Drug Shortages

// Monitor current drug supply shortages
{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "bupivacaine",
  "search_type": "shortages",
  "limit": 10
}

Orange Book - Patents and Generic Equivalents

// Search for Prozac and its generic equivalents
{
  "method": "search_orange_book",
  "drug_name": "Prozac",
  "include_generics": true
}

// Find AB-rated therapeutically equivalent generics for fluoxetine
{
  "method": "get_therapeutic_equivalents",
  "drug_name": "fluoxetine"
}

// Get patent and exclusivity data for Lipitor (NDA 020702)
{
  "method": "get_patent_exclusivity",
  "nda_number": "020702"
}

// Analyze patent cliff for Ozempic - when will generics enter?
{
  "method": "analyze_patent_cliff",
  "drug_name": "semaglutide",
  "years_ahead": 10
}

Purple Book - Biologics and Biosimilars

// Search for Humira and all adalimumab biosimilars
{
  "method": "search_purple_book",
  "drug_name": "adalimumab"
}

// Check which biosimilars are interchangeable with Humira
{
  "method": "get_biosimilar_interchangeability",
  "reference_product": "Humira"
}

// Find all Dupixent (dupilumab) biosimilars
{
  "method": "search_purple_book",
  "drug_name": "dupilumab"
}

Real-World Example Results:

• Ozempic (semaglutide): 72 active patents, first patent expires Aug 2025, but generic entry estimated Jan 2028 (2.1 years away)
• Humira (adalimumab): 10 biosimilars approved, only Hyrimoz is interchangeable (since April 2025)
• Prozac (fluoxetine): All patents expired, 46 AB-rated generic equivalents available
• Trikafta: 109 active patents, orphan exclusivity until 2031, extensive patent protection

Available Search Fields

The API supports searching across FDA database fields total. Use field-specific parameters for targeted searches:

• fields_for_general: 34 fields for general drug data searches
• fields_for_adverse_events: 66 fields for adverse events searches
• fields_for_label: 167 fields for drug label searches
• fields_for_recalls: 39 fields for recalls and enforcement searches
• fields_for_shortages: 44 fields for drug shortages searches

OpenFDA Section (16 fields)

• openfda.application_number - FDA application number
• openfda.brand_name - Brand/trade name of the drug
• openfda.generic_name - Generic name of the drug
• openfda.manufacturer_name - Name of the manufacturer
• openfda.nui - Numeric identifier for ingredients
• openfda.package_ndc - Package-level National Drug Code
• openfda.pharm_class_cs - Chemical structure pharmacologic class
• openfda.pharm_class_epc - Established pharmacologic class
• openfda.pharm_class_pe - Physiologic effect pharmacologic class
• openfda.pharm_class_moa - Mechanism of action pharmacologic class
• openfda.product_ndc - Product-level National Drug Code
• openfda.route - Route of administration
• openfda.rxcui - RxNorm concept unique identifier
• openfda.spl_id - Structured Product Labeling identifier
• openfda.spl_set_id - SPL document set identifier
• openfda.substance_name - Name of the active substance
• openfda.unii - Unique Ingredient Identifier

Products Section (9 fields)

• products.active_ingredients.name - Name of active ingredient
• products.active_ingredients.strength - Strength of active ingredient
• products.dosage_form - Dosage form (e.g., "TABLET", "CAPSULE")
• products.marketing_status - Marketing status (e.g., "Discontinued", "Prescription")
• products.product_number - Product number within application
• products.reference_drug - Reference drug designation
• products.reference_standard - Reference standard designation
• products.route - Route of administration
• products.te_code - Therapeutic equivalence evaluation code

Submissions Section (10+ fields)

• submissions.application_docs - Application documentation
• submissions.review_priority - Review priority designation
• submissions.submission_class_code - Submission classification code
• submissions.submission_class_code_description - Description of submission class
• submissions.submission_number - Sequential submission number
• submissions.submission_property_type.code - Property type code
• submissions.submission_public_notes - Public notes about submission
• submissions.submission_status - Current status of submission
• submissions.submission_status_date - Date of status change
• submissions.submission_type - Type of submission

Usage Examples by Field Type

Search by Marketing Status:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Discontinued",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.marketing_status"
}

Search by Manufacturer:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "Pfizer",
  "search_type": "general", 
  "fields_for_general": "openfda.manufacturer_name"
}

Search by Dosage Form:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "INJECTION",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.dosage_form"
}

Search by Active Ingredient:

{
  "method": "lookup_drug",
  "search_term": "acetaminophen",
  "search_type": "general",
  "fields_for_general": "products.active_ingredients.name"
}

Response Format

All responses include:

{
  "success": true,
  "query": "aspirin",
  "search_type": "general",
  "total_results": 150,
  "results": [...],
  "metadata": {
    "total": 150,
    "skip": 0,
    "limit": 10
  }
}

Search Tips

Drug Names

• Use both generic names (e.g., "acetaminophen") and brand names (e.g., "Tylenol")
• Try different name variations if initial search returns no results
• Include common spellings and abbreviations
• Use wildcards for partial matches (e.g., child* for children's medications)

Search Types

• general: Comprehensive search across all FDA database fields (34 fields available)
• label: Detailed prescribing information and FDA-approved labels (167 fields available)
• adverse_events: Safety data and adverse reaction reports (66 fields available)
• recalls: Drug recalls and safety alerts (39 fields available)
• shortages: Current drug supply shortages and availability (44 fields available)

Complex Query Strategies

• Boolean Logic: Combine conditions with AND/OR operators
• Field Targeting: Use openfda.field_name:value syntax for precise searches
• Range Queries: Use [min+TO+max] for age, date, or numeric ranges
• Wildcards: Use * for pattern matching (*5*, MEF*)
• Special Modifiers: Use _exists_:field or _missing_:field for data completeness

Field-Specific Searching

• Use fields_for_general for general drug data (34 options)
• Use fields_for_adverse_events for adverse events (66 options)
• Use fields_for_label for drug label searches (167 options)
• Use fields_for_recalls for recalls and enforcement (39 options)
• Use fields_for_shortages for drug shortages (44 options)
• Examples: products.marketing_status, patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt, warnings, recalling_firm, status
• Enables precise queries like finding discontinued drugs, specific adverse reactions, label warnings, recall classifications, or shortage statuses

Advanced Query Examples

• Multi-condition: drug:aspirin+AND+form:TABLET+AND+status:active
• Age-specific: patient.patientonsetage:[18+TO+65] for adults
• Geographic: occurcountry:US+AND+serious:1 for US serious events
• Time-based: receiptdate:[2023-01-01+TO+2023-12-31] for 2023 data