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Open FDA Drug Reference (BYOK) — connector documentation

  • MCP endpoint: https://byok-openfda-drug-reference.connectorbay.com/mcp
  • REST API: POST https://byok-openfda-drug-reference.connectorbay.com/v1/tools/{tool_name}, described by the OpenAPI 3.1 spec at https://byok-openfda-drug-reference.connectorbay.com/openapi.json
  • Transport: Streamable HTTP, stateless, MCP specification 2025-06-18 or later
  • Authentication: your own Open FDA Drug Reference openFDA API key, sent in the X-Upstream-Key header of every request (never stored, logged or cached)
  • Health: https://byok-openfda-drug-reference.connectorbay.com/health · Tool schemas: https://byok-openfda-drug-reference.connectorbay.com/tools.json
  • Publisher: Unify Dynamics LLC · connectorbay.com/byok-openfda-drug-reference · agent@connectorbay.com

What Open FDA Drug Reference (BYOK) is for

Open FDA Drug Reference (BYOK) lets an AI assistant read your own Open FDA Drug Reference data through the Open FDA Drug Reference API with a key you supply (openFDA API key). Read-only: 5 tools (search_drug_ndc_directory, search_drugsfda_applications, search_ndc_spl_data_elements, search_substance_records, count_drug_reference_records). The BYOK key travels with each request, is used for that one call only and is never stored, logged or cached; it is only ever sent to api.fda.gov. Unofficial connector by Unify Dynamics LLC: not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Open FDA Drug Reference. Open FDA Drug Reference and its logos are trademarks of their owners and are used only to say which service the connector works with.

Ask your assistant things like:

  • "What is the NDC of Lipitor 10 mg tablets?"
  • "Which sponsor holds application NDA021436?"
  • "What is the billing unit of NDC 0002-3227?"
  • "Look up the substance with UNII R16CO5Y76E (aspirin)."
  • "How many NDC products exist per marketing category?"

What it does

  • search_drug_ndc_directory: Search the FDA National Drug Code directory of finished and unfinished drug products: NDC, brand and generic name, dosage form, route, marketing category, application number, pharmacologic class, DEA schedule, ingredients and packaging.
  • search_drugsfda_applications: Search Drugs@FDA approval applications (NDA, ANDA, BLA): application number, sponsor, products with marketing status and strengths, and submission history.
  • search_ndc_spl_data_elements: Search NDC SPL Data Elements (NSDE): package NDC (10 and 11 digit), proprietary name, dosage form, marketing category, application number, marketing dates and billing unit.
  • search_substance_records: Search openFDA substance records (a chemical, protein or other substance): UUID, UNII code, substance class, definition type and level, names, codes and relationships. Records can be long, so use a small limit.
  • count_drug_reference_records: Count how often each value of a field occurs among matching records of one drug reference dataset, for example NDC products by dosage form. Returns term and count pairs.

BYOK key

You bring your own Open FDA Drug Reference openFDA API key (https://open.fda.gov/apis/authentication/). Your assistant sends it in the X-Upstream-Key header with each request. ConnectorBay uses it for that one call only: it is never stored, logged or cached, never shown in an answer, and it is only sent to api.fda.gov over https, with no redirects followed. Create a key with the fewest permissions the tools need (read-only if the provider offers it), and revoke it at the provider whenever you like.

Notices

Data from openFDA (https://open.fda.gov). Credit is requested. openFDA does not validate the data, so do not use it for medical decisions.

Data sources

Live from the Open FDA Drug Reference API (api.fda.gov) with a BYOK key; documentation: https://open.fda.gov/apis/drug/. Endpoints checked against that documentation on 2026-10-16.

What it is not

Unofficial connector by Unify Dynamics LLC: not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Open FDA Drug Reference. Open FDA Drug Reference and its logos are trademarks of their owners and are used only to say which service the connector works with. It is read-only: it never creates, changes, sends or deletes anything in your Open FDA Drug Reference account.

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