Resources > Faq > Formularies

Learn About Drug Formulary

The terms "Drug Formulary List", "Preferred Drug List" and "Select Drug List" are health program labels with similar meanings. A Drug Formulary is a list of medications to help guide physicians and pharmacists to select the medication that provides the appropriate treatment for the best price.

The Drug Formulary is a cost containment feature associated with many health plans that:

• is used as a guide for physicians in prescribing quality, cost-effective medications
• is unique to each health plan
• is created/compiled by panels of physicians and pharmacists
• can change periodically
• applies to medications that are dispensed in both retail and mail-order pharmacies

The most current formulary list is typically available on a carrier's website for member and provider reference. The formulary contains a wide range of generic and brand-name preferred medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Your doctor can use the formulary for your health care needs, while helping you maximize your prescription drug benefit.

A Preferred Drug List (PDL) provides members, physicians and pharmacists with the necessary information to maximize the drug benefit coverage and minimize the member's financial contribution.