The Chaveirim L’Refuah non-profit, which assists those who cannot afford their prescriptions to buy their medications, reports a waiting list of 5,000 people. The organization’s director, Yechiel Landman says they have never had so many people waiting for assistance, which at present, the organization cannot supply.
Landman explains two years ago, his organization was able to assist 2,000 people but since then, the numbers continue to increase. Today, the organization assists 3,000 people monthly, but it is not capable of keeping up with the growing demand. Making things worse is the fact that less people are calling to donate surplus medications.
Landman reports that 150 million NIS in medications are tossed in the trash annually in Israel and many of these drugs can be used to assist others who cannot afford to buy them. The organization has been operating since 2003.
The organization has volunteers picking up prescription medication that has not been used and it redistributes it to those in need. Landman explains that today, many Israelis are not buying the medications they should because they simply cannot afford it, some having to decide between medications and eating.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Doesn’t “Kupat Cholim” pay for medical treatment and medicine?
Is this what the USA is in for with Obamacare?
I had never heard of this organization until your article. Ive always felt terrible throwing out unused and expired medications. Now I have an answer.
Thank you!
Kupat Cholim does pay for most of the cost, however they generally charge a co-payment being the higher of 13nis and 15% of the cost of the drug. Notwithstanding, many people cannot afford these co-payments.