Kupat Holim Clalit director general Dr. Yitzhak Peterburg announced that the healthcare organization plans to petition the High Court of Justice against the Ministry of Justice over the twelve-month delay in approving the regulations allowing parallel import of drugs.
Peterburg claims the delay has caused the health system tens of millions of shekels in losses, which could have been made available for health services. He said that the regulations were not instituted, due to pressure by senior US administration concerns and by US pharmaceutical companies on the Israeli government.
Peterburg also claims that the Ministry of Justice is not implementing the Law, as expressed in the amendment to the Pharmacists ordinance, which allows healthcare funds parallel imports of drugs.
The amendment also stipulates that the price of imported drugs should be adjusted according to the median price of the drug in four European countries.
In response, the Ministry of Justice said,"Due to the fear that Israel's international standing is liable to be adversely affected, and its relations with Western countries, a comprehensive examination of the matter is being conducted. Until its completion, no decision will be made on the matter."
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 16 February, 2000