Aid Requests for Medications Surge Amid Economic Hardship

The "Friends of Medicine" association reports a significant increase in requests for medication assistance, with a 20% rise in applications during the Hebrew year 5786 compared to the previous year. The organization currently aids over 7,000 patients monthly in obtaining necessary drugs.

According to the association's CEO, Baruch Lieberman, these figures highlight growing difficulties for patients in affording medical treatments, particularly expensive medications or those not covered by Israel's national health basket. Lieberman stated, "I meet frustrated and desperate patients daily who are forced to forgo life-saving medications or treatments solely because of the price tag. These are people for whom the choice between food and medicine is a daily dilemma."

The association distributed medications valued at over 152 million shekels to those in need during the past year, an increase from approximately 141 million shekels in 5785, marking an 8% rise. In total, around 400,000 boxes of medication, ranging from basic to costly drugs outside the health basket, were distributed in 5786.

Lieberman urged the public to donate unused medications to the association, enabling them to reach patients who require them.