Israel Limits Opioid Prescriptions to Five Days to Curb Abuse and Addiction

A significant amendment to Israel's dangerous drugs regulations took effect on Friday, restricting manual opioid prescriptions to a maximum validity of five days instead of the previous 15. The Ministry of Health stated this measure is part of a broader effort to reduce opioid misuse and prevent addiction to these potent painkillers, which are classified as dangerous drugs due to their high risk of dependency and fatal overdose.

In addition to limiting prescription duration, pharmacies are now required to connect to the health funds' computerized systems. This connection enables access to information on opioid dispensations within the past month and mandates immediate reporting of any opioid dispensing, including private purchases without health fund involvement. This system aims to prevent duplicate dispensations and enhance oversight.

The new regulations also require doctors issuing prescriptions outside the health funds to inform patients that their prescriptions will be reported to the health funds. This measure is designed to centralize data on opioid prescriptions, reduce prescription forgery, and encourage digital prescriptions that are harder to falsify.

The Ministry emphasized that these regulations complement ongoing initiatives with health funds that have already contributed to a decline in opioid consumption in Israel. The ministry highlighted the dangers of uncontrolled opioid use and the importance of strict monitoring to protect public health while ensuring patients who genuinely need these medications continue to receive appropriate treatment.