Israel throws away medicines worth 700 million shekels a year: why they don't reach those in need

Every year in Israel, medicines worth over 700 million shekels are thrown away. Usable drugs with valid expiration dates are destroyed if deposited in health fund collection containers. The organization "Haverim le-Refua" collects, checks, and distributes medicines to needy families, but cannot take drugs from health fund collection points. The Health Ministry explains the restrictions as necessary for quality control.

In Israel, medicines worth over 700 million shekels are thrown away annually. Some of these drugs could reach patients who cannot afford treatment. However, even usable medicines with valid expiration dates are sent for destruction if deposited in health fund collection containers. There are two main collection channels in the country: health fund containers and collection points of the public organization "Haverim le-Refua," located in major institutions and branches of the Super-Pharm chain. Drugs from the first stream are automatically destroyed. From the second, they are checked and distributed to families who cannot afford to buy them. The activity of "Haverim le-Refua" was regulated by law in 2016. The organization connects people with unused medications to patients in need. It can receive donations from individuals, large institutions, and pharmaceutical companies, but cannot take drugs from health fund collection points. As a result, usable drugs end up in costly disposal. Those in need receive less help, and the state and health funds bear the costs of drug destruction, which also harms the environment. The CEO of "Haverim le-Refua," Baruch Lieberman, says the value of annually discarded drugs exceeds the annual increase in the drug basket budget. The Health Ministry explains the restrictions as necessary for quality control and promotes measures to reduce surplus, including pharmacist consultations.