Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a Formulary in pharmacy practice?

1. To provide patient education resources

2. To approve new drug applications

3. To list medications approved for use within a health care system

4. To conduct patient outcome assessments

The correct answer is: To list medications approved for use within a health care system

The purpose of a Formulary in pharmacy practice is to list medications that are approved for use within a healthcare system. A formulary serves as an essential tool for managing medication use, ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available for prescribing within the institution. It typically includes a selection of drugs that are deemed necessary and effective based on clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, safety profiles, and therapeutic guidelines. By compiling this list, the formulary helps to standardize treatment options available to healthcare providers, reduce variations in drug therapy, and aid in the responsible use of healthcare resources. Furthermore, it can also facilitate the development of clinical pathways and treatment guidelines, ultimately enhancing patient care through improved medication management. While patient education resources and outcome assessments are important aspects of pharmacy practice, they do not directly relate to the specific role and purpose of a formulary. Similarly, the approval of new drug applications is a regulatory functions typically handled by bodies like Health Canada or the FDA rather than within the scope of a health care system’s formulary.