2027 Drug Basket Committee Launched: "650 Million Shekels Won't Be Enough"

The 2027 Drug Basket Committee commenced its work on Monday, a day before the Knesset elections, with a budget of 650 million shekels. Health Minister Haim Katz admitted the budget is insufficient, and Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov defended the timing of the convening.

The 2027 Drug Basket Committee launched on Monday, a day before the Knesset elections, with an opening ceremony at Sheba Medical Center. The committee has a budget of 650 million shekels and must decide which of hundreds of submitted drugs and medical technologies will be included in the public health basket. Health Minister Haim Katz acknowledged the budget's limitations: "This year too, the committee has a budget of 650 million shekels. I know that no matter how much is given, it won't be enough." Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov defended the timing: "We started about a month earlier than last year. I'm sure we'll finish earlier than last year." The committee will be chaired by Prof. Dina Ben Yehuda, who said: "Behind every table and number is a person, a whole family following the discussions and praying that the drug will be included in the basket." Treatments to be discussed include new drugs for breast cancer and bladder cancer, expanded eligibility for obesity treatments, genetic therapies for rare diseases, and expanded funding for vaccines.