Following the revelations in "Israel Today":
The Knesset Health Committee held a special discussion today (Tuesday) on the unprecedented move in the history of the health system in Israel, in which the director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash, authorized Clalit Health Fund to dictate to oncologists Lung and skin cancer patients have reduced doses of expensive drugs that are fully budgeted in the state drug basket.
This approval is given contrary to the recommendations of a professional committee set up by the Ministry of Health itself, contrary to the legal registration of the drug in the Ministry of Health and the dosage listed in the drug basket, and despite harsh criticism from some senior oncologists in the country.
At the hearing, which was held at the request of MK Etty Atia (Likud), Prof. Ash said that "the decision was not simple, but was made after an in-depth examination by a committee that determined that it was not an injury to patients."
Asked by the committee's chairman, MK Idit Silman, where exactly the budget will be saved from the new guidelines, which is estimated at tens of millions of shekels a year, Prof. Ash replied: "I can not vote where the money goes, but it goes to good causes."
Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the HMO in the committee were also unable to answer this question at all, and only Dr. Doron Netzer, head of Clalit's medical department, gave a vague answer that "the move is an attempt to bring in more money that can treat other patients."
"The Ministry of Health is dragging its feet, instead of charting the path," said Prof. Gil Bar-Sela, chairman of the Oncologists Association of the Medical Association. It is impossible for doctors, when they have no way of explaining to the patient that he is receiving a dose that is contrary to the research and registration of the drug in the Ministry of Health and in the drug basket. "
Prof. Nir Peled, director of the oncology department at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, stated that "the motives that brought us to this discussion are not in the patients' best interest and the goal is to save money. No research will be done to tell the patient "Because of its incorrect dosage. I do not know what to say to a patient who has received only 120 mg and his disease is progressing, or to a patient who now needs to have his dose reduced."
Prof. Ido Wolf, chairman of the National Oncology Council and director of the oncology department at Ichilov Hospital, supported the new measures, but at the same time added that "the story began as a statement and possibly coercion by the fund, with stuttering conduct by the Ministry of Health."
Dr. Shani Shilo, director general of the Israel Lung Cancer Association, said the new guidelines "discriminate against patients. This is the difference between life and death, and it is impossible to play with these things."
"Doctors at Clalit whispered to me that they want to give the fixed dose, and are afraid because of the fund's policy when patients and their families do not know they are receiving a reduced dose. When the patient is about to die there is no time to start exceptional committees. Private insurance that will supplement their dose. "
MK Atia said that “it is imperative to see the well-being of patients, protect public health and minimize harm to the vulnerable population.
The implementation of the new guidelines must not be allowed, and the circular issued by the CEO must be frozen.
MK Silman, chairman of the committee, summed up the discussion: "The medical discretion of the treating staff should be maintained, and no therapeutic guidelines should be dictated - contrary to the discretion of the medical staff and contrary to the registration of the drug in the Ministry of Health."
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