The shortage of prescription drugs still continues: the pharmacies report a shortage of basic drugs, such as Ventolin, Augmentin, Xanax and many more.
The Pharmacists Association warns that the ongoing shortage leads to the use of alternative drugs and different doses, in a way that makes the drugs more expensive and causes patients to pay full price instead of a deductible, due to the need to purchase several drugs.
On the website of the Ministry of Health there are notices about the cessation of the marketing of at least 40 drugs and preparations, such as Ozampic for diabetes, Nurofen capsules, Code Paracetamol, Ezenil, Advil with grape flavor, Simvastatin, Prizium, Agistin and more.
"The shortage of medicines has been going on for a long time, and the consequences are that a patient sometimes pays a deductible twice, instead of once," warns Dodo Pepo, chairman of the Pharmacists' Association. Packs of 15 mg and I will pay a double deductible."
"It's a shame that instead of buying medicine with a deductible of NIS 18, people pay full price. My pharmacy is in Ramla, and I have customers who say that NIS 40 is the price of half a cart in the market. People are forced to give up buying medicine."
Pharmacy (those photographed have no relation to the news), photo: Herzi Shapira
Sharon Almakais, head of the pharmacy division at Moachedat, explains: "There is a large jump in the number of medicines that are missing, and a significant part of our day is dedicated to finding alternatives so that patients do not feel a shortage. But our time to organize for imports is very short, because sometimes the pharmaceutical companies report shortages in retrospect. Regarding prices The medicines - according to the Ministry of Health, you only have to pay one co-payment fee, and you can contact the clinic for reimbursement."
Looking for alternatives
Maklalit stated: "In light of the global shortage, and as soon as we receive notification from the Ministry of Health about an expected shortage of a certain preparation, we are investigating the possibility of purchasing alternatives around the world, and even importing preparations directly. The pharmacists provide a clinical and service response in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, and do everything to provide the best response and adapted to each patient".
Maccabi stated: "Maccabi is constantly working for the maximum availability of prescription drugs for its members. The drug companies do not inform the health insurance companies in advance of the expected shortages. In the cases of prescription drugs for which there is no alternative in Israel, Maccabi is forced to import alternative drugs from abroad, and the price for the consumer is subject to approval Ministry of Health.
As for the rest of the drugs - Maccabi operates continuously according to a plan approved by the state."
The Ministry of Health stated: "According to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the HMOs must provide medicines in the closest packaging in size to the dose of the preparation that appears in the prescription, in a way that prevents the insured from overcharging the deductible. The Ministry of Health approves the import of alternatives that are not registered in Israel in accordance with the request of the HMOs and as required."
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