FDA Drug Approvals Screensaver
The FDA Drug Approvals screensaver shows real drug application records from the FDA's key-less openFDA dataset: brand and generic name, sponsor and approval action. Distinct from the site's shortage and recall savers, which cover supply and safety. It's free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.
Live preview
Press ESC to leave fullscreen. Settings are saved in your browser only.
How the FDA Drug Approvals screensaver works
The saver reads openFDA directly in your browser — no key and no account.
Real drug application records from the FDA's key-less openFDA dataset: brand and generic name, sponsor and approval action.
It refreshes on a schedule, so what you see stays current.
Colours can be changed in settings; nothing is stored beyond your own browser.
Reading an FDA application record
In the United States, every new drug has been the subject of an approved New Drug Application since 1938 before it can be sold. The application brings together animal and human clinical trial data, ingredients and manufacturing details, so the FDA can decide whether the drug is safe and effective for its proposed uses and whether its labelling is appropriate. Generic copies go through a separate Abbreviated New Drug Application, and many therapeutic biological products are covered by a different application type, the Biologics License Application. The openFDA project publishes the Drugs@FDA data as open JSON.
The openFDA Drugs@FDA endpoint covers most FDA-approved drug products since 1939, including prescription and over-the-counter brand-name and generic drugs and many therapeutic biologics. Records generally list a brand name, active ingredients, the sponsor holding the application and its submissions. The submission type matters: an original approval is a different event from a later supplement to an application already on the market, so not every entry is a new medicine.
The data is refreshed on weekdays, but it is administrative data and not a recommendation. It does not describe benefits, side effects or who should take a drug, and openFDA says it is not for medical decisions. For medical questions, rely on official labelling and a qualified clinician.
A worked example
Real drug application records from the FDA's key-less openFDA dataset: brand and generic name, sponsor and approval action. Distinct from the site's shortage and recall savers, which cover supply and safety.
Settings & tips
- Accent and Background recolour the display.
- Data comes straight from openFDA in your browser.
- Press ESC to leave fullscreen.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this real data?
- Yes — it comes from openFDA and is refreshed on a schedule.
- Is this medical advice?
- No. It shows FDA application records for interest only. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to a clinician about any medicine.
- Is a key needed?
- No. This source is fully key-less.
- Is it free?
- Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
- What is a sponsor?
- The sponsor is the company or organization named on the application for the drug, as listed in the record.
- Is every entry a brand-new drug?
- No. The data covers brand-name and generic products and includes supplements to existing applications, so many entries concern products that are already approved.
- Does this tell me whether a drug is right for me?
- No. These are regulatory records, not guidance, and openFDA advises discussing the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products with a health provider.