FDA Databases: How to Find Verified Medications and Spot Counterfeit Drugs
Dec, 26 2025
Every year, millions of people around the world take medications they believe are safe-only to find out later they were given fake or contaminated drugs. In the U.S., the FDA runs a set of public databases that help healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and even patients check if a drug is real. These aren’t just government paperwork-they’re lifelines in the fight against counterfeit medicines. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if your prescription is legitimate, or how pharmacies know a drug isn’t stolen or tampered with, the answer lies in these systems.
What the FDA Databases Actually Do
The FDA doesn’t just approve drugs. It tracks them from the factory to your pharmacy. Three main databases make this possible: the NDC Directory, the Drug Establishments Current Registration Site, and the Electronic Drug Registration and Listing System (eDRLS). Together, they form a digital paper trail for every prescription drug sold in the U.S.
The NDC Directory is the backbone. Every approved drug gets a unique 10- or 11-digit number-the National Drug Code. This code breaks down into three parts: the labeler (who makes it), the product (what it is), and the package (how it’s sold). Think of it like a barcode, but for medicine. When you scan a pill bottle, the NDC tells the system: this is a 10mg metformin tablet made by Pfizer, sold in bottles of 90 pills. If that code doesn’t exist in the FDA’s database, it’s not a legal drug.
The Drug Establishments Current Registration Site shows which companies are allowed to make or distribute drugs. If a pharmacy buys pills from a supplier that’s not listed here, they’re breaking the law-and risking your safety. The eDRLS is where companies submit their drug info to the FDA. It’s not public, but the data it feeds into the other two databases is.
How to Check If a Drug Is Real
You don’t need to be a pharmacist to use these tools. Here’s how to verify a medication yourself:
- Find the NDC on the drug packaging. It’s usually printed near the barcode, often labeled "NDC" or "National Drug Code."
- Go to the FDA’s NDC Directory at fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory.
- Enter the full NDC number. If the drug shows up with the correct name, strength, and manufacturer, it’s verified.
- If nothing comes up, or the details don’t match the bottle, the drug is suspect.
For example, if you’re handed a bottle of metformin with NDC 0003-0162-10, you can type it in and see it’s listed as a 500mg tablet made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. If you get no result-or it says the drug is made by "ABC Pharma"-that’s a red flag. Counterfeiters often use fake NDCs that look real but don’t exist in the system.
Don’t rely on just the label. Fake pills can have perfect printing. The only way to be sure is to cross-check with the FDA’s database. Many people don’t realize this is possible-and that’s exactly what counterfeiters count on.
What the DSCSA Changed in 2023
In November 2023, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) reached its final phase. Before this, companies could verify drugs using basic NDC checks. Now, every package must have a unique 2D barcode with encrypted data, including lot number, expiration date, and serial number. This means pharmacists can scan a single pill bottle and instantly confirm it’s the exact unit that left the factory.
This doesn’t mean you’ll see a QR code on your prescription bottle. Most small pharmacies are still working through the transition. But if you’re buying from a large chain like CVS or Walgreens, they’re already scanning every box. If you’re ever handed a drug without a scannable code and the pharmacy says "we’re still upgrading," ask why. It’s your right to know.
The system also requires all distributors to quarantine any drug flagged as suspicious within 24 hours. If a batch is reported stolen or fake, the FDA gets an alert. That’s why counterfeit drugs are dropping-companies that use the full system report 78% fewer fake drug incidents, according to Supply Chain Insights.
Why Counterfeit Drugs Are Still a Problem
Even with these systems, fake drugs still slip through. Why? Three main reasons:
- Foreign suppliers: Only 35% of overseas manufacturers follow U.S. rules. Many pills sold online come from unregistered labs in India, China, or Eastern Europe.
- Compounded drugs: These are custom-made by pharmacies for specific patients. They’re not required to have NDCs, making them harder to track.
- Human error: A misprinted NDC or a typo in the eDRLS can make a real drug look fake. The FDA says 27% of submissions get rejected because of formatting mistakes.
Online pharmacies are the biggest risk. If a site doesn’t ask for a prescription, doesn’t have a U.S. address, or sells drugs at 80% off, it’s almost certainly selling fakes. The FDA has shut down over 10,000 illegal websites since 2015. But new ones pop up every week.
What to Do If You Suspect a Fake Drug
If you find a drug that doesn’t match the FDA’s database, or if it looks wrong-odd color, strange smell, pills that crumble-don’t take it. Don’t throw it away. Don’t return it to the pharmacy without telling them.
Instead:
- Take a photo of the packaging and the NDC.
- Call the pharmacy or hospital where you got it. Ask them to report it to the FDA.
- File a report yourself at fda.gov/medwatch. You don’t need to be a professional to do this.
The FDA investigates every report. In 2022, they issued 68 warning letters to companies with faulty verification systems. Your report could stop a dangerous batch from reaching others.
How the System Compares to Other Countries
The U.S. system is more advanced than most, but not perfect. The European Union requires every pill to have an anti-tamper seal and a unique code you can scan with your phone. India uses SMS verification-you text a code from the package and get a reply saying if it’s real. China uses QR codes on every box.
The U.S. doesn’t require individual unit tracking for all drugs yet-but it will. By 2026, the NDC will become a standardized 12-digit code, making it easier to match data across systems. The FDA is also testing AI tools that can spot fake packaging patterns, like mismatched fonts or inconsistent colors, just by analyzing photos.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to be an expert to protect yourself. Here’s your quick checklist:
- Always check the NDC on your prescription against the FDA’s database.
- Buy drugs only from licensed U.S. pharmacies-with a physical address and a way to call them.
- Never buy from websites that sell drugs without a prescription.
- If something looks off, report it. It only takes two minutes.
- Ask your pharmacist: "Is this drug verified through the DSCSA system?"
The FDA’s databases aren’t perfect. But they’re the best tool we have. And they only work if people use them.
Can I trust the NDC number on a drug I bought online?
No-not unless you know the seller is licensed. Many counterfeiters copy real NDCs and print them on fake pills. The only way to verify is to check the exact NDC in the FDA’s official NDC Directory. If the manufacturer name, strength, or dosage doesn’t match what’s listed, it’s fake.
Are all prescription drugs in the U.S. tracked by the FDA?
Almost all. Every FDA-approved prescription drug must be listed in the NDC Directory. But over-the-counter drugs, compounded medications, and some veterinary drugs are not required to have NDCs. Also, drugs imported from overseas may not be fully tracked unless they meet DSCSA standards.
What happens if a pharmacy sells a counterfeit drug?
The pharmacy can lose its license, face heavy fines, and be sued. Under DSCSA, they’re legally required to verify every drug they receive. If they fail to do so and a patient is harmed, they can be held criminally liable. The FDA has issued dozens of warning letters and taken legal action against pharmacies that ignored verification rules.
Can I use the FDA databases to check my over-the-counter medicine?
Only if it’s a prescription drug sold as an OTC. Most common OTC drugs like Tylenol or Advil don’t have NDCs listed in the FDA’s drug database because they’re regulated under different rules. But if you’re buying a prescription-strength version of a drug (like higher-dose ibuprofen), it should be listed. Always check the label to see if it’s FDA-approved as a prescription product.
How often is the FDA’s NDC Directory updated?
Daily. The FDA updates the NDC Directory every business day with new listings, changes, and removals. If a drug is pulled from the market or a company changes its name, the database reflects that within 24 hours. That’s why it’s the most reliable source for checking drug authenticity.
Is there a mobile app to check FDA drug data?
The FDA doesn’t have an official app for checking NDCs. But third-party apps like Epocrates and Micromedex include FDA drug data and let you scan barcodes. However, these apps rely on the FDA’s public database, so if the NDC isn’t in the FDA’s system, they won’t find it either. Always double-check with the official FDA website if you’re unsure.
Final Thoughts
The fight against counterfeit drugs isn’t just about government rules. It’s about people asking questions, checking labels, and speaking up. The FDA built the tools. But they only work if you use them. A single verified NDC can prevent a hospital visit. A single report can save a life.