Medicine In Israel

The Israeli Ministry of Health, Pharmacies, and Drug Pricing Regulation

The Israeli Ministry of Health regulates healthcare pricing to ensure affordability and accessibility. It employs a structured approach to setting drug prices, overseeing pharmacies, and determining medical service fees.

How Drug Prices Are Determined

International Price Comparison – Drug prices are benchmarked against countries like the UK and Switzerland to prevent overpricing.

Health Basket Supervision – A committee reviews and updates the list of subsidized medications annually.

Pharmacy and Import Regulation – The ministry monitors pharmacies and importers to maintain fair pricing and stable supplies.

Medical Service Fees – The ministry sets maximum prices for public healthcare services like diagnostics and surgeries.

Link To: Israel Ministry of Health Price List

The Role of Pharmacies

Pharmacies play a crucial role in distributing medications to the public. The Ministry of Health ensures that both public and private pharmacies adhere to price regulations and maintain adequate stock levels. Pharmacies also provide subsidized medications listed in the national health basket, offering essential drugs at reduced costs through agreements with health funds.

Link To: On-Call Pharmacies List

The Role of Private Laboratories

Private laboratories in Israel provide diagnostic services such as blood tests, genetic screenings, and specialized medical analyses. While the public healthcare system covers many tests, private labs offer faster results and additional services not always available in public institutions. The Ministry of Health oversees these laboratories to ensure quality standards and fair pricing, regulating fees for common medical tests to prevent excessive costs for patients.

 Link To: Private Laboratories List

Ensuring Transparency

The Ministry of Health publishes official price lists online, allowing patients to check medication costs and eligibility for subsidies. Through strict regulation of drug pricing, pharmacy operations, and private laboratories, it ensures fair pricing and accessible healthcare for all citizens.