Final answer:
A restricted formulary is a limited list of drugs that are covered by an insurance plan or available in a specific healthcare setting, providing safe and cost-effective options for a particular population or condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is c) Restricted formulary. A restricted formulary is a limited list of drugs that are covered by an insurance plan or available in a specific healthcare setting. This list contains medications that have been deemed safe, effective, and cost-effective for a particular population or condition. An example of a restricted formulary is a hospital formulary, which includes only specific medications that are stocked in the hospital pharmacy.
In contrast, an open formulary provides a more extensive list of approved drugs, with fewer restrictions on medications that can be prescribed by healthcare providers.
A restricted formulary is somewhat of a middle ground, where some drugs may have limitations such as prior authorization or step therapy requirements, but the formulary is not as exclusive as a closed formulary.