Whether you need to find the generic name for a brand drug, look up a drug's price, check FDA approval status, or find out if a generic exists — there are several free, authoritative government tools built exactly for this. Here is a complete guide to every major drug lookup tool and database.
1. RxTariff Drug Search (This Site)
The RxTariff drug search tool is the fastest way to look up a prescription drug and instantly see:
- Its tariff status under the 2026 Section 232 proclamation
- Current NADAC acquisition cost from CMS government data
- Whether it is a brand name or generic
- Manufacturer name
- Whether a generic or biosimilar alternative exists
Search by brand name or generic name. No account required. Powered by OpenFDA and CMS NADAC APIs.
2. FDA Drug Databases
The FDA maintains several free databases for drug lookup:
FDA Orange Book
The authoritative list of all FDA-approved brand name drugs and their approved generic equivalents. If you want to know whether a generic exists for your brand drug, this is the definitive source. Search at: fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/orange-book
FDA Purple Book
The FDA's database of licensed biological products (biologics) and their approved biosimilars. If you take a biologic like Humira, Herceptin, or Enbrel, the Purple Book shows you all approved biosimilar equivalents. Search at: fda.gov/drugs/therapeutic-biologics-applications/purple-book
FDA Drug Approvals and Databases
A portal to all FDA drug databases, including drug recalls, shortage information, and approval histories. Available at fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases.
DailyMed (FDA-linked)
Run by the National Library of Medicine, DailyMed provides the full FDA-approved labeling (package insert) for every drug. Search by brand or generic name to find complete prescribing information, warnings, dosage, and manufacturer details. Available at dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.
3. CMS NADAC Drug Price Database
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) database — a weekly survey of what pharmacies actually pay for drugs. This is the closest thing to a real-time government drug pricing database.
Search the NADAC data at: data.medicaid.gov/dataset/national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-nadac
For each drug, NADAC shows:
- Per-unit acquisition cost
- Brand (B) or generic (G) classification
- Survey date
- Whether the price was based on survey responses or calculated
This is the same data source used by RxTariff to show you drug prices.
4. National Drug Code (NDC) Lookup
Every drug product sold in the US has a National Drug Code — a unique 10-digit identifier for the specific drug, manufacturer, and package size. You can look up drugs by NDC using the FDA's NDC directory at fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory.
NDC lookup is useful when you need to identify a specific manufacturer's version of a drug (relevant for tariff country-of-manufacture analysis) or when comparing prices across multiple generic manufacturers.
5. Drug Interaction and Information Databases
Drugs.com — Patient-friendly drug information, interactions checker, side effects database, and generic lookup tool. Covers most prescription and OTC drugs.
Medscape Drug Reference — Clinician-focused database with dosing, interactions, and pharmacology. Requires free registration.
Epocrates — Clinical drug reference used by physicians and pharmacists. Available as a mobile app.
6. Drug Price Comparison Tools
GoodRx — Shows real-time prices at pharmacies near you for both brand and generic drugs. Discount coupons can dramatically reduce cash prices. goodrx.com
Cost Plus Drugs — Mark Cuban's direct-pharmacy model. Prices many generics at cost + small markup. Often $3–15 for common generics. costplusdrugs.com
NeedyMeds — Database of manufacturer patient assistance programs (PAPs) for patients who cannot afford their medications. needymeds.org
How to Do a Drug Lookup Step by Step
1. Know what you are looking for — brand name, generic name, or condition it treats
2. Start with RxTariff — instant tariff status + NADAC price for 2026 context
3. Check the FDA Orange Book — confirm whether a generic exists
4. Use DailyMed — get the full drug label and manufacturer information
5. Compare prices — GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs for cash price comparison
The RxTariff drug search combines steps 1–2 into a single lookup using live government data. Start there, then dig into the FDA databases for more detail.