An open formulary typically results in which combination?

• A. Broader selection and higher costs
• B. Narrower selection and lower costs
• C. Broader selection and lower costs
• D. Narrower selection and higher costs

Answer: (A)

Open formularies broaden the range of medications that are covered, giving prescribers and patients many more options. With more drugs available, there’s greater likelihood of choosing newer, branded, or specialty therapies that carry higher price tags. That rise in utilization of more expensive medications tends to push overall drug costs upward, even as access and choice improve for patients. In contrast, more restrictive formularies limit options and generally help keep costs down, but at the expense of having fewer treatment choices. So the combination of broader selection and higher costs best fits an open formulary.