What is a common disadvantage of a hospital formulary?

• A. Reduces patient safety
• B. Limits options; provider may need non-formulary drug requiring extra steps or less beneficial alternative
• C. Decreases communication
• D. Increases inventory complexity

Answer: (B)

A hospital formulary is a curated list of medications approved for use in the facility, designed to promote safe, effective, and cost-conscious prescribing. A common disadvantage is that it can limit options for clinicians. When a needed drug isn’t on the formulary, the prescriber must submit a non-formulary request or seek an exception, which adds steps, requires approval, and can delay treatment. In some cases, the patient may end up receiving an alternative on the formulary that is not as ideal for their condition. While formulary systems help with safety and standardization, the trade-off is reduced immediate access to certain medications.