DrugBank Data Library

DrugBank Data Library is a subscription-based drug data platform providing curated, expert-reviewed information on drugs, targets, and related biomedical content. It is designed for organizations involved in drug research and discovery, clinical software development, and academic research, supporting workflows across all stages of drug development from early discovery through clinical decision support.

The platform organizes its data into structured packages, each composed of data modules and submodules (tables and entries). Data is delivered in multiple formats including JSON, CSV, SQL, XML, PDF, TXT, and via Snowflake, depending on the package. Access requires a subscription, and a free account can be created to explore available data.

Core Use Cases

• Access Drug Information: Provides drug structures, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, pharmacokinetics, and side effects.
• Accelerate Discovery: Offers detailed profiles of existing drugs and potential targets to support early-stage research.
• Save Time on Maintenance: Reduces the burden of data maintenance through extensive pre-built packages and bioinformatics tools.
• Stay Compliant: Includes approved drug lists and safety data to support compliance with FDA and international guidelines.
• Tailor Treatments: Links drug responses to genetic profiles, identifies biomarkers, supports regimen tailoring, and documents adverse reactions.

Base Data Packages

• Biomedical Knowledge: The most extensive package for complex data exploration and analysis, covering 128 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, XML, and Snowflake.
• Disease Prioritization: Supports identification of high-potential disease areas for research focus, covering 103 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, and XML.
• Drug Repurposing: Designed to optimize drug repurposing workflows and predict adverse effects, covering 92 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, and XML.
• Clinical Insights: Provides data to improve health outcomes and support clinical decision-making, covering 83 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, and XML.
• Target Identification: Covers broad information on 27,696 drugs and 19,535 targets across 71 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, XML, and Snowflake.
• Research Landscape: Enables evaluation of prior drug research to assess scientific feasibility and prioritize research directions, covering 61 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, and XML.
• Drug Identifiers: Covers 27,696 drugs with associated identifiers including chemical structures, across 17 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, XML, and Snowflake.
• CA Drug Products: Provides a focused list of Canadian drug products with associated DIN codes, across 2 tables. Available via JSON, CSV, SQL, and XML.
• US Drug Products: Provides a focused list of US drug products with associated NDC codes, across 2 tables. Available via CSV and Snowflake.

Add-On Package

• Clinical Trials & Rare Diseases: An add-on to related Base Packages (not available as a standalone subscription) covering deeply curated rare disease trials, treatments, and known targets across 25 tables. Available via CSV and Snowflake.

Third-Party Packages (ASHP)

DrugBank also offers third-party data packages provided in partnership with ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). These packages are updated monthly, available by subscription as standalone packages, and do not connect directly to DrugBank data.

• AHFS Therapeutic Classification: Classifies drugs by therapeutic intent to support drug utilization analysis; 949,838 entries available via TXT.
• ASHP MedGuides Plus: Provides FDA-mandated Medication Guides for integration into existing workflows; 14,000 entries available via XML and PDF.
• AHFS DI® Essentials™: Offers specific guidance for safely monitoring and prescribing drug therapy; 1,770 entries available via XML.
• AHFS Drug Information®: A drug information source spanning 1,700 monographs; 1,770 entries available via XML.
• ASHP Patient Medication Information: Covers 1,550 monographs for most prescription and over-the-counter medications and vaccines available in the US; available via XML and PDF.
• ASHP Injectable Drug Information: A guide to intravenous drug compatibility and stability; 417 entries available via XML.

DrugBank also offers an AI Assistant described as built for biopharma intelligence, providing access to validated reasoning and citable data for complex research questions. All data packages are subscription-based, and licensing availability may vary by country.