What is the term for a list of medications that are approved for use within a healthcare system?

The term for a list of medications that are approved for use within a healthcare system is a formulary. A formulary serves as an essential tool in healthcare, guiding healthcare providers in determining which medications are available for patient care. It typically includes information about the appropriate use of medications, indications, dosing, and any restrictions or prior authorization requirements.

The formulary is central to promoting effective and safe medication management and is often developed based on considerations such as safety, efficacy, therapeutic equivalence, and cost-effectiveness. This list helps to standardize treatment protocols and ensures that the most appropriate and high-quality medications are accessible to patients.

Other options, such as a drug inventory, refer to the stock of medications a pharmacy has on hand but do not specifically denote a list of approved medications. A pharmacopoeia is a comprehensive reference that includes detailed information about drugs and their formulations but is not limited to the approved list for a specific healthcare system. A supplementary list, on the other hand, might include medications that are used less frequently or that require special consideration but does not denote the primary list of approved medications.