formulary

noun for·mu·lary \ ˈfȯr-myə-ˌler-ē \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of formulary

plural formularies

1 : a collection of prescribed forms (such as oaths or prayers)

2 : formula 1

3 : a book listing medicinal substances and formulas

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formulary

adjective

Recent Examples of formulary from the Web

Before this year, numerous other manufacturers’ test strips were included on the Express Script’s formulary.

— cathy cunningham, chicagotribune.com, "Column: More questions answered on medications not being covered by insurance," 4 Apr. 2018
The alternative is that PBMs place drugs on non-preferred tiers or don’t cover medications on their formulary at all.

— jaclyn cosgrove, latimes.com, "What the $52-billion Cigna purchase of Express Scripts means for consumers," 12 Mar. 2018
These states could negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers and set up their own drug formularies with an appeals process that would help patients get drugs that are medically necessary.

— jayne o'donnell, USA TODAY, "Trump budget slashes Medicare, other health programs while boosting money for opioid crisis," 12 Feb. 2018
Zayas’s sales partner circulated a petition to keep Seroquel on the hospital’s formulary.

— Time, "24-Year-Old Man Died Suddenly From Taking Painkiller With Anxiety Medicine, Father Says," 8 Dec. 2017
Walter’s concerns led him to petition the hospital to remove Seroquel from its formulary, the suit says.

— Time, "24-Year-Old Man Died Suddenly From Taking Painkiller With Anxiety Medicine, Father Says," 8 Dec. 2017
Rebates, or negotiated discounts, occur when a manufacturer sets a list price and then agrees to pass money back to the PBMs in return for something, generally a spot on the formulary that determines which drugs can be purchased.

— sarah jane tribble, Philly.com, "Flurry of federal and state probes target insulin drugmakers and pharma middlemen," 30 Oct. 2017
Instead of picking a beta blocker best suited for my hypertensive patient on clinical terms, I may be forced to choose one from a limited formulary influenced by Pfizer’s generous lobbying efforts in Washington.

— vishal khetpal, Slate Magazine, "We Have to Ration Health Care," 13 Oct. 2017
Rebates, or negotiated discounts, occur when a manufacturer sets a list price and then agrees to pass money back to the PBMs in return for something, generally a spot on the formulary that determines which drugs can be purchased.

— sarah jane tribble, NBC News, "Several Probes Target Insulin Drug Pricing," 28 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formulary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of formulary

1541

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

formulary

noun for·mu·lary \ ˈfȯr-myə-ˌler-ē \

medical Definition of formulary

plural formularies

1 : a book containing a list of medicinal substances and formulas — see national formulary

2 : an official list of generic and brand name pharmaceutical drugs designated by a health insurance provider as approved for coverage under the provider's pharmacy plan benefits