Following a dispute that lasted more than a year, the director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, ruled that Clalit Patients Clalit (and the rest of the funds) would be allowed to reduce the dose of the drug Kitrod for lung and skin cancer patients.
Currently, according to the drug's registration, there is a fixed dose of 200 mg for all patients, but according to the new circular, the funds will be allowed to give a reduced dose corresponding to body weight.
The decision was also preceded by a discussion on the issue at the National Council of Oncology, a discussion in the Knesset Health Committee and opposition from senior and sick doctors, as Ran Reznik revealed in "Israel Today."
The director general of the Ministry of Health bases his decision on the fact that the HMOs have the right to prescribe drug treatment and dosage regimens
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He further notes that if the new guideline is different from the guidelines set at the time of prescribing the drug in the country, but it can be deviated from if there is up-to-date knowledge and a drug dose different from the dose prescribed at the time the drug was prescribed can be treated.
More according to the guidelines: A cancer patient who has already started receiving treatment at a fixed dose will continue to receive the treatment at the same dose.
There are senior physicians who oppose the change on the grounds that it violates their judgment.
The CEO's circular stated that there is an option for physicians to apply to return their patients to the uniform dose.
"It is the duty of the HMO to allow treating physicians to submit reasoned exemption requests, in individual cases where there is a proven medical priority for treatment with a fixed dose. By the HMO in a written reasoned answer. "
Prof. Ido Wolf, chairman of the National Council of Oncology, responded: "We do not harm patients, we save money for the public.
The Ministry of Health has adopted the recommendation of the National Council for Malignant Diseases on the dosages of the drug Kitroda.
It is a pity that the controversy sometimes slipped into unprofessional and irrelevant lines.
The published circular is balanced and most importantly, sets rules, how to resolve similar disputes in the future. "
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