Drugbank vs Pubmed MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Drugbank and Pubmed MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Drugbank for biology & bioinformatics work as a local process; choose Pubmed MCP Server for biology & bioinformatics as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Drugbank when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Biology & Bioinformatics domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
drugbank_ddi, drugbank_drug_names, drugbank_drug.
Choose Pubmed MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Biology & Bioinformatics domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
pubmed_search_articles, pubmed_fetch_articles, pubmed_fetch_fulltext.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Biology & Bioinformatics | Biology & Bioinformatics |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 63/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 163 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 3 | 11 |
| Full listing | View Drugbank | View Pubmed MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Drugbank tools 3
drugbank_ddiCheck drug-drug interactions among a set of drugs. Returns curated interactions with severity, description, and management guidance. Accepts drug names or DrugBank IDs (comma-separated). Example: drugbank_ddi({ drugs: "warfarin, acetaminophen", _apiKey: "your-key" }) or drugbank_ddi({ drugs: "DB006…drugbank_drug_namesLook up a drug by name or product. Resolves a query string to matching DrugBank drugs/products and their DrugBank IDs. Example: drugbank_drug_names({ query: "lipitor", _apiKey: "your-key" })drugbank_drugStructured monograph (indication, MoA, dosing) for a drug. Returns indication, mechanism of action, dosages, and a summary of adverse effects for a single DrugBank drug. Example: drugbank_drug({ id: "DB00682", _apiKey: "your-key" })
Pubmed MCP Server tools 11
pubmed_search_articlesSearch PubMed with full query syntax, structured filters, date ranges, and optional summariespubmed_fetch_articlesFetch article metadata by PMID: abstract, authors, journal, MeSH terms, grants, a collective author's investigators on request, linked retraction and correction noticespubmed_fetch_fulltextFetch full text by PMID, PMCID, or DOI, falling back from PMC to Europe PMC to Unpaywallpubmed_europepmc_searchSearch Europe PMC for preprints, patents, Agricola, and open-access records PubMed doesn't carrypubmed_europepmc_fetchFetch complete Europe PMC records, including the untruncated abstract, as `records: [{ source, epmcId }]pubmed_format_citationsFormat citations in APA 7th, MLA 9th, BibTeX, RIS, or Vancouver (ICMJE/NLM), with linked retraction and correction noticespubmed_find_relatedFind similar articles, citing articles, or references for a PMIDpubmed_spell_checkCorrect a misspelled PubMed query via NCBI ESpellpubmed_lookup_meshLook up MeSH headings with tree numbers, scope notes, and entry termspubmed_lookup_citationResolve partial references, up to 25 at a time, to PMIDs via ECitMatchpubmed_convert_idsConvert between DOI, PMID, and PMCID via the PMC ID Converter
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Drugbank
{
"mcpServers": {
"drugbank": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pipeworx/mcp-drugbank"
]
}
}
}
Pubmed MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"pubmed-mcp-server-2": {
"command": "bunx",
"args": [
"@cyanheads/pubmed-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Drugbank is categorized under Biology & Bioinformatics and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pubmed MCP Server belongs to Biology & Bioinformatics and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Drugbank for biology & bioinformatics work and Pubmed MCP Server for biology & bioinformatics.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Drugbank has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Pubmed MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add drugbank and pubmed-mcp-server-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Drugbank has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Pubmed MCP Server has 63/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 163 GitHub stars.