Which of the following describes an open formulary?

• A. Broader selection
• B. Higher costs due to broader selection
• C. Higher administrative burden
• D. Fewer therapeutic options

Answer: (A)

Open formulary is defined by covering a broad range of medications, giving clinicians more options for treatment and fewer restrictions on what can be prescribed. This makes broader selection the best descriptor, since the key feature is the wide array of drugs available for coverage. The other ideas—higher costs, higher administrative burden, or fewer therapeutic options—do not characterize open formularies as their defining trait; open formularies aim to increase access and flexibility by expanding the drug options rather than narrowing them.