# io.usefulapi/openfda (remote · openfda.usefulapi.io)

Search openFDA drug, device, food and adverse-event datasets.

- Trust score: 76/100 (medium)
- Registry status: active
- Liveness: live
- Owner verified: no
- Last scored: 2026-10-04

## Components

- remote · `openfda.usefulapi.io`: 76/100 (this document), [markdown](https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda.md), [page](https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda)

## Channel facts

- Endpoint: `https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp`
- Transports: `streamable-http`
- Auth: `none`
- Version: `1.0.0`

## Trust breakdown

How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. Scores are 0–100 per category. Scoring method: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring (what has changed: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring/changelog)

Scored 2026-10-04.

- **Endpoint Security**: 89/100
  - The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key.
  - Authorisation is enforced on tool calls, advertised via RFC 9728 protected-resource metadata. Discovery is public, which costs nothing: no tool can be invoked without a token.
  - HTTPS is enforced; there's no plaintext access path.
  - HSTS check failed: the Strict-Transport-Security header is absent.
  - DNSSEC check failed: this domain isn't protected by DNSSEC.
  - The authorisation server offers only Dynamic Client Registration (RFC 7591), which MCP 2026-07-28 deprecated in favour of Client ID Metadata Documents.
- **Transport & Reachability**: 100/100
  - Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake.
- **Schema Quality & AI Usability**: 68/100
  - AI-judged instruction clarity (excellent).
  - Context-footprint check failed: tool/resource definitions use about 3083 tokens (~220/item across 14 items; 14 tools + 0 resources), over budget; trim descriptions and params.
  - Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples.
- **Stability & Change Management**: 13/100
  - Stability observed for 4 of 30 days with no destabilising changes; credit accrues until the full window elapses.
- **Tool Coverage**: 100/100
  - 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).
  - 100% of tool parameters carry a description.
- **Tool Safety**: 100/100
  - No prompt-injection markers were found in the server instructions, tool names or descriptions we captured.
  - We read all 14 captured tool definition(s), and no name or description among them implies an irreversible operation.
  - An AI judge read all 14 captured unit(s) of tool text and found none that tries to manipulate the model reading it.
- **Capabilities**: 60/100
  - Spec-recency check failed: implements MCP spec 2025-06-18; the latest is 2026-07-28.

## Install

### How do I install the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server?

io.usefulapi/openfda is a hosted endpoint at https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp, so there is nothing to install locally. Ready-made configuration for Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and 5 more is on this page, copied from each client's own documentation.

### Claude

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http io-usefulapi-openfda 'https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp'
```

### Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-usefulapi-openfda": {
      "url": "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "io-usefulapi-openfda": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```toml
[mcp_servers.io-usefulapi-openfda]
url = "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
```

### opencode

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "io-usefulapi-openfda": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenClaw

```bash
openclaw mcp add io-usefulapi-openfda --url 'https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp' --transport streamable-http
```

### Hermes

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  io-usefulapi-openfda:
    url: "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
```

### Netclaw

```json
{
  "McpServers": {
    "io-usefulapi-openfda": {
      "Transport": "http",
      "Url": "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Vellum

```bash
assistant mcp add io-usefulapi-openfda -t streamable-http -u 'https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp'
```

### Other

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-usefulapi-openfda": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.

## Changelog

Every change recorded for this component, newest first. Days that predate change tracking, or that we cannot explain, say so: "we were watching and nothing happened" and "we were not watching" are different claims.

### 2026-10-03 (score 76, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 7 to 10. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 2 days of observed history at the previous scan, 3 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-02 (score 75, 0)

- [functional] Server version: 1.3.0 → 1.5.1

### 2026-10-01 (score 75, +4)

- [security improvement] HTTPS: unverified → pass
- [security] First check of Authorization: partial
- [functional improvement] Stability: unverified → 0.03
- [functional] Server version: 1.0.0 → 1.3.0

### 2026-09-30 (score 71, +53)

- [security improvement] Authorization: unverified → pass
- [security improvement] Injection markers: unverified → pass
- [security improvement] Transport: fail → pass
- [security] First check of Judged manipulation: pass
- [functional regression] MCP protocol: unverified → fail
- [functional improvement] Tool coverage: unverified → 100
- [functional] First check of Schema quality: fail
- [functional] First check of Schema quality: excellent
- [functional] First check of Destructive annotations: pass
- [functional] First check of Schema quality: fail
- [functional] First check of Tool coverage: 100

### 2026-09-29 (score 18)

First indexed and scored.

## MCP tools (14)

### `search_drug_events` (~217 tokens)

Search drug adverse-event reports (FAERS)

Search the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS): reports of drug side effects, adverse reactions and medication errors submitted to the FDA. Returns individual case reports. openFDA drug/event endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_drug_labels` (~214 tokens)

Search drug product labels (SPL)

Search Structured Product Labeling (SPL): the official prescribing information for drugs — indications, warnings, dosage, adverse reactions, drug interactions and more. openFDA drug/label endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_drug_ndc` (~220 tokens)

Search the National Drug Code directory

Search the National Drug Code (NDC) directory: every drug product's code, name, dosage form, route, active ingredients, marketing status and labeler. openFDA drug/ndc endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_drug_recalls` (~209 tokens)

Search drug recall enforcement reports

Search drug recall enforcement reports: recalled drug products with the reason, classification (Class I/II/III), recalling firm, distribution and status. openFDA drug/enforcement endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_drugsfda` (~215 tokens)

Search Drugs@FDA approved products

Search Drugs@FDA: FDA-approved drug products and their applications (NDA/ANDA/BLA), sponsors, approval dates, products and submissions. openFDA drug/drugsfda endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_drug_shortages` (~200 tokens)

Search drug shortages

Search current and resolved drug shortages: the affected product, status, reason, availability and related dates. openFDA drug/shortages endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_device_events` (~202 tokens)

Search device adverse-event reports (MAUDE)

Search the MAUDE database: medical device adverse events — reported injuries, deaths and malfunctions involving medical devices. openFDA device/event endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_device_510k` (~217 tokens)

Search 510(k) premarket clearances

Search 510(k) premarket notification clearances: devices cleared for market as substantially equivalent to a predicate, with applicant, decision, product code and dates. openFDA device/510k endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_device_recalls` (~208 tokens)

Search device recalls

Search medical device recalls: recalled devices with the reason, recalling firm, classification, product code and status. openFDA device/recall endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_device_classification` (~215 tokens)

Search device classification

Search the FDA device classification database: a device type's product code, device class (I/II/III), regulation number, medical specialty and submission requirements. openFDA device/classification endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_food_events` (~213 tokens)

Search food/supplement/cosmetic adverse events (CAERS)

Search the CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS): adverse events and product complaints for foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics. openFDA food/event endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `search_food_recalls` (~208 tokens)

Search food recall enforcement reports

Search food recall enforcement reports: recalled food products with the reason, classification (Class I/II/III), recalling firm, distribution state and status. openFDA food/enforcement endpoint.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

### `count` (~217 tokens)

Count/aggregate over an openFDA dataset

openFDA's most valuable feature: aggregate over any dataset by a field to get a top-terms histogram (returns `results: [{term, count}]` instead of records). Use the '.exact' field suffix to count whole phrases. Example: endpoint 'drug/event', field 'patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt.exact', search 'patient.drug.medicinalproduct:"aspirin"' → the most common reactions reported for aspirin.

Input parameters:

- `endpoint` (string, required): The openFDA endpoint to query, e.g. 'drug/event', 'device/510k', 'food/enforcement'.
- `field` (string, required): The field to count/aggregate on (required), e.g. 'patient.reaction.reactionmeddrapt.exact' or 'classification'. Add '.exact' to count whole phrases rather than tokens.
- `limit` (integer): Max number of distinct terms to return (1–1000).
- `search` (string): Optional Lucene filter applied before aggregation (same syntax as the search tools).

### `openfda_query` (~328 tokens)

Query any openFDA endpoint (generic)

Generic escape hatch to query ANY supported openFDA endpoint with the full parameter set — covers the less-common datasets (device/pma, device/registrationlisting, device/udi, device/covid19serology, drug/orangebook, other/nsde, other/substance, tobacco/problem, etc.). Use the named search tools for the common datasets; use this for everything else or for advanced queries. openFDA REST API.

Input parameters:

- `count` (string): Optional field to aggregate on (returns `results: [{term, count}]`); add '.exact' for whole phrases.
- `endpoint` (string, required): The openFDA endpoint to query, e.g. 'drug/event', 'device/510k', 'food/enforcement'.
- `limit` (integer): Max number of records to return (1–1000). Omit for the API default of 1.
- `search` (string): Lucene-style query over this dataset's fields: 'field:term', AND with '+AND+', OR with a space, exact phrase via a '.exact' field suffix with quotes, ranges as '[low+TO+high]' (dates like '[20040101+…
- `skip` (integer): Number of records to skip, for pagination (0–25000; skip+limit reaches up to ~26000 records).
- `sort` (string): Sort order, as `field:asc` or `field:desc`, e.g. 'receivedate:desc'.

## Diagnostics

Captured diagnostic sections: TLS, DNSSEC, Authorisation, Transports. The full working is on the page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda#diagnostics

## Score history

- 2026-10-04: 76
- 2026-10-03: 76
- 2026-10-02: 75
- 2026-10-01: 75
- 2026-09-30: 71
- 2026-09-29: 18

## Common questions

### What is the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server?

io.usefulapi/openfda is an MCP server listed in the public MCP registry as io.usefulapi/openfda. Search openFDA drug, device, food and adverse-event datasets. This page covers its hosted endpoint (https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp).

### Is the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server safe to use?

io.usefulapi/openfda scores 76 out of 100 on VerifyMCP. That is a record of what we were able to check automatically, not an endorsement. The category breakdown on this page shows every signal behind the number, including the ones we could not confirm.

### What tools does the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server expose?

io.usefulapi/openfda exposes 14 tools: search_drug_events, search_drug_labels, search_drug_ndc, search_drug_recalls, search_drugsfda, and 9 more. Their descriptions and schemas cost roughly 3,083 tokens of context every time the server is loaded.

### Does the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server require authentication?

Yes. io.usefulapi/openfda asked us for credentials when we connected, so you will need to authorise it in your MCP client before it can do anything.

### Is the io.usefulapi/openfda MCP server still maintained?

io.usefulapi/openfda is still listed as active in the MCP registry. We last reached this channel on 4 October 2026. Those dates come from our own scans of the registry and the channel itself, not from anything the publisher announced.

## Links

- Remote endpoint: https://openfda.usefulapi.io/mcp
- Repository: https://github.com/m190/usefulapi-mcp
- Changelog RSS feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda.xml
- Changelog JSON feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda.json
- HTML version of this page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-usefulapi-openfda/openfda