# openFDA Drug, Food & Device Data Scraper (`chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max`) Actor Scrape FDA drug, food and device data from openFDA: recalls, enforcement reports, adverse events and drug labels. Search by keyword. No API key. Pay per record; empty or failed runs cost nothing. - **URL**: https://apify.com/chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max.md - **Developed by:** [Christian Pichichero](https://apify.com/chrisp1211) (community) - **Categories:** Other - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $1.00 / 1,000 records This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## openFDA Drug, Food & Device Data Scraper **openFDA Drug, Food & Device Data Scraper** — a fast, reliable openfda scraper that needs **no API key**. You pay only for the results you get: failed or empty runs are always free. This openfda scraper runs on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com), so you can call it from the API, run it on a schedule, or export results to JSON, CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets. ### What this scraper does - Extracts structured **openfda** data with no browser or API key required - Returns clean JSON, one record per result — ready for sheets, databases, or apps - Pay-per-result pricing: you are never charged for a run that returns nothing - Runs on demand or on a schedule, and integrates with 5,000+ apps via the Apify API and webhooks ### What data you get Each result record includes fields such as: - **Recall Number** (`recallNumber`) — e.g. `"D-1240-2019"` - **Event Id** (`eventId`) — e.g. `"82620"` - **Status** (`status`) — e.g. `"Terminated"` - **Classification** (`classification`) — e.g. `"Class II"` - **Product Type** (`productType`) — e.g. `"Drugs"` - **Product Description** (`productDescription`) — e.g. `"DelNido Cardioplegia (Normosol-R pH 7.4 or Plasma-Lyte A...` - **Reason For Recall** (`reasonForRecall`) — e.g. `"Lack of sterility assurance."` - **Recalling Firm** (`recallingFirm`) — e.g. `"CMC Enterprise Pharmacy"` - **Distribution Pattern** (`distributionPattern`) — e.g. `"NC"` - **Product Quantity** (`productQuantity`) — e.g. `"110 bags"` - **Code Info** (`codeInfo`) — e.g. `"Lots: ED041909 Exp. 4/13/2019; ED111907 Exp. 4/20/2019"` - **Voluntary Mandated** (`voluntaryMandated`) — e.g. `"Voluntary: Firm initiated"` - **Initial Firm Notification** (`initialFirmNotification`) — e.g. `"Letter"` - **City** (`city`) — e.g. `"Charlotte"` - **State** (`state`) — e.g. `"NC"` ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `dataset` | string | Which openFDA dataset to query. Each maps to an api.fda.gov endpoint. | | `searchTerms` | array | One search run per term (results are combined across runs). Leave empty to fetch the most recent records fo... | | `searchField` | string | Restrict the search to one openFDA field, e.g. patient.drug.medicinalproduct (drug events), reason_for_reca... | | `maxResults` | integer | Maximum records to return per search term. Paged 100 at a time; keyless deep-paging caps at 25,000. | | `minDate` | string | Keep only records on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Compared against the dataset's primary date field (re... | | `apiKey` | string | Optional free openFDA api_key to raise rate limits. Get one at https://open.fda.gov/apis/authentication/ . ... | ### Example output ```json { "type": "drug-enforcement", "recallNumber": "D-1240-2019", "eventId": "82620", "status": "Terminated", "classification": "Class II", "productType": "Drugs", "productDescription": "DelNido Cardioplegia (Normosol-R pH 7.4 or Plasma-Lyte A pH 7.4 1000 mL bag) Mannitol 20%-16.3 mL, Potassium Chloride 2 meq/mL-13 mL, Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4%-Lidocaine 1%-1:1 Dilution-26 mL, Magnesium Sulfate 500 mg/mL-4 mL, Cardiac Perfusion Only - Not for IV Use, Made by: Enterprise Pharmacy, 4400 Golf Acres Drive, Bldg. J Suite E, Charlotte, NC, 28208.", "reasonForRecall": "Lack of sterility assurance.", "recallingFirm": "CMC Enterprise Pharmacy", "distributionPattern": "NC", "productQuantity": "110 bags", "codeInfo": "Lots: ED041909 Exp. 4/13/2019; ED111907 Exp. 4/20/2019", "voluntaryMandated": "Voluntary: Firm initiated", "initialFirmNotification": "Letter", "city": "Charlotte", "state": "NC", "country": "United States", "postalCode": "28208-5968", "reportDate": "2019-05-01", "recallInitiationDate": "2019-04-12", "centerClassificationDate": "2019-04-23", "terminationDate": "2019-10-30", "brandName": [], "genericName": [], "manufacturerName": [] } ```` ### Use cases - Automate research and data collection - Feed dashboards, sheets, and databases - Enrich records in your CRM or app - Monitor changes on a schedule ### Run it as a monitor (alerts on new openfda) Schedule this openfda scraper to run automatically — hourly, daily, or on any cron schedule — with the built-in [Apify Scheduler](https://docs.apify.com/platform/schedules), and have results pushed to you by **webhook, email, Slack, or your own app** the moment they're ready. It's the easiest way to **monitor openfda for changes over time** and get alerted the instant something new appears — no manual runs. Because pricing is per result, a scheduled monitor only ever charges you for the data each run actually returns. ### Pricing This actor uses **pay-per-result** pricing at **$0.0006 per record**. There is no monthly fee and no start fee — and **empty or failed runs cost $0**, so you only ever pay for data you actually receive. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need an API key or account for the source?** No. This openfda scraper works out of the box with no API key required. **What happens if a run returns no results?** You are not charged. Billing is per result, so empty or failed runs are free. **Can I run the openfda scraper on a schedule?** Yes. Use the Apify Scheduler to run it hourly, daily, or on any cron schedule, and get results by webhook or API. **What export formats are supported?** Results can be exported as JSON, CSV, Excel, HTML, or pushed to Google Sheets, a database, or your own app via the Apify API. **Is the data structured?** Yes. Every openfda result is a clean, flat JSON record you can use immediately. # Actor input Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): Which openFDA dataset to query. Each maps to an api.fda.gov endpoint. ## `searchTerms` (type: `array`): One search run per term (results are combined across runs). Leave empty to fetch the most recent records for the dataset. Multi-word terms are matched as an exact phrase. ## `searchField` (type: `string`): Restrict the search to one openFDA field, e.g. patient.drug.medicinalproduct (drug events), reason\_for\_recall (recalls), or openfda.brand\_name. Leave blank to search the whole record. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum records to return per search term. Paged 100 at a time; keyless deep-paging caps at 25,000. ## `minDate` (type: `string`): Keep only records on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Compared against the dataset's primary date field (report / receive / initiated / effective). ## `apiKey` (type: `string`): Optional free openFDA api\_key to raise rate limits. Get one at https://open.fda.gov/apis/authentication/ . Leave blank to run keyless. ## `maxCostUsd` (type: `integer`): HARD budget cap. The run stops cleanly before exceeding this. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): This is an open API; no proxy needed. Default is fine. ## Actor input object example ```json { "dataset": "drug-enforcement", "searchTerms": [ "cardiac" ], "maxResults": 50, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchTerms": [ "cardiac" ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchTerms": ["cardiac"], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": False }, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchTerms": [ "cardiac" ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } }' | apify call chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=chrisp1211/openfda-scraper-max", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "openFDA Drug, Food & Device Data Scraper", "description": "Scrape FDA drug, food and device data from openFDA: recalls, enforcement reports, adverse events and drug labels. Search by keyword. No API key. Pay per record; empty or failed runs cost nothing.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "gcJECtCzYgMchWOuC" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/chrisp1211~openfda-scraper-max/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-chrisp1211-openfda-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/chrisp1211~openfda-scraper-max/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-chrisp1211-openfda-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/chrisp1211~openfda-scraper-max/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-chrisp1211-openfda-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "dataset": { "title": "Dataset", "enum": [ "drug-enforcement", "food-enforcement", "device-recall", "drug-event", "device-event", "drug-label" ], "type": "string", "description": "Which openFDA dataset to query. Each maps to an api.fda.gov endpoint.", "default": "drug-enforcement" }, "searchTerms": { "title": "Search terms", "type": "array", "description": "One search run per term (results are combined across runs). Leave empty to fetch the most recent records for the dataset. Multi-word terms are matched as an exact phrase.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "searchField": { "title": "Search field (optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Restrict the search to one openFDA field, e.g. patient.drug.medicinalproduct (drug events), reason_for_recall (recalls), or openfda.brand_name. Leave blank to search the whole record." }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max results per term", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum records to return per search term. Paged 100 at a time; keyless deep-paging caps at 25,000.", "default": 50 }, "minDate": { "title": "Minimum date (optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Keep only records on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Compared against the dataset's primary date field (report / receive / initiated / effective)." }, "apiKey": { "title": "openFDA API key (optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Optional free openFDA api_key to raise rate limits. Get one at https://open.fda.gov/apis/authentication/ . Leave blank to run keyless." }, "maxCostUsd": { "title": "Max cost per run (USD)", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "HARD budget cap. The run stops cleanly before exceeding this." }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy", "type": "object", "description": "This is an open API; no proxy needed. Default is fine.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": false } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```