Every FDA FOIA request, whether submitted by a pharmaceutical company, law firm, journalist, commercial FOIA service, consultant, or private individual, appears in the FDA's public FOIA log once the request is closed.
Although the log is public, it's difficult to search and nearly impossible to use efficiently in its raw format.
FOIA Pro transforms that raw data into a searchable, organized database. You can filter requests by product, company, application number, document type, requester, subject, FDA center, date, and more to quickly identify records relevant to your work.
Before filing a new FOIA request, it's worth checking whether someone has already requested the same documents. If they have, you can submit a Database Request through FOIA Pro to obtain FDA's previously released response. Because those records have already been processed once, Database Requests are typically fulfilled in 1–2 weeks, rather than the months often required for a new FOIA request.
Here's how to get the most out of the filters.
Where should I start?
If you're unsure where to begin, start with:
- Keyword Search
- Outcome
- Doc Type
-
Name of Manufacturer or Product
These four filters will answer most research questions.
What is the Outcome filter, and why does it matter?
Outcome is the single most valuable filter in FOIA Pro because it tells you how a previous request was actually resolved—not simply that it existed.
Released
FDA provided records in response to the request. Although FDA may narrow the scope, withhold some records, or apply redactions, a Released outcome is the strongest indication that responsive documents exist.
If you find a matching Released request, you can order a Database Request through FOIA Pro to obtain FDA's previously released response. These requests are typically completed in 1–2 weeks.
Partial
FDA released some records but withheld others under one or more FOIA exemptions. These requests can still provide valuable information but may contain redactions or missing sections.
No Records
FDA searched but found no responsive records.
This is worth checking before filing your own request because it often indicates the request was too broad, too narrow, or described the records differently than FDA does—not necessarily that the records don't exist.
Denied
FDA withheld all requested records, usually under one or more FOIA exemptions.
If you see multiple denials on similar requests, consider narrowing your request before filing.
Withdrawn
The requester withdrew the request before FDA completed processing.
Common reasons include duplicate requests, high estimated fees, or the requester deciding the records were no longer needed.
Referred
FDA determined another agency or FDA Center was responsible for the requested records and transferred the request.
Appeal
The requester appealed FDA's initial response. The outcome shown reflects the appeal rather than the original request.
Other
A catch-all category that includes administrative closures, such as:
- duplicate requests
- unpaid fees
- records not reasonably described
- requests that were not proper FOIA requests
- records that FDA does not maintain
Checking Outcome before filing a request is often the quickest way to determine whether similar documents exist and whether a request is likely to be successful.
Can I search by keyword?
Yes.
The search box searches the request title, request description, and FDA control number.
FOIA Pro subscribers can also search by requester name, making it easy to see everything requested by a specific company, law firm, consultant, or commercial FOIA service.
What is the Doc Type filter?
Doc Type narrows results to a specific regulatory submission or application, such as:
- NDA
- ANDA
- BLA
- 510(k)
- PMA
- FCN
- CAP
If you already know the type of FDA record you're looking for, this is usually the fastest way to narrow your search.
What does the Industry filter do?
Industry groups requests by the FDA-regulated sector involved, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food, tobacco, cosmetics, veterinary products, and more.
Use it when you're researching an industry rather than a specific product or company.
What does the Year filter do?
Year filters by the year the FOIA request closed, not necessarily when the underlying document was created.
It's useful for identifying recent activity or tracking how FOIA requests have changed over time.
What are the Panel and Regulation filters?
These are specialized filters used primarily for medical device and food-related requests.
If you're working within those areas, they allow you to narrow results beyond Industry or Doc Type.
What is Product Code?
Product Code filters by FDA's official product classification code.
For medical devices, it's often the most precise way to isolate records for a specific device category.
What does First Party mean?
Some requests are filed by the manufacturer or applicant itself rather than by a competitor, law firm, consultant, journalist, or commercial FOIA service.
The First Party filter lets you identify requests submitted by the manufacturer or applicant. While these requests often result in less-redacted records for the requester, FDA generally will not release those same records to third parties because they contain confidential commercial information.
What is the Available Now filter?
The Available Now filter shows only documents that are already in the FOIA Pro library and ready for immediate purchase and download.
These records require no additional FDA request, making them the fastest way to obtain FDA documents.
Our library currently contains thousands of FDA records—particularly 510(k) submissions—with new documents added regularly.
Can I combine filters?
Absolutely.
Filters work together, allowing you to quickly narrow a large result set.
For example:
- Doc Type: 510(k)
- Industry: Medical Device
- Year: 2025
- Outcome: Released
This combination isolates recently released medical device submissions with a high likelihood of available records.
I found a record I want. What happens next?
Each record tells you whether the documents are already available in the FOIA Pro library or whether they'll need to be requested from FDA.
If FDA has previously released the records, FOIA Pro subscribers can view the FDA control number and either submit the request directly to FDA or order a Database Request through FOIA Pro. We'll handle the entire process for you—from preparing and submitting the request to managing all FDA correspondence—while keeping your identity anonymous. Database Requests are typically fulfilled in 1–2 weeks.
If no comparable released request exists, you can submit a Custom Request, and we'll prepare and file a new FOIA request for you.