Info on

Medicines and Copayment

25 December 2023

There are two websites you should get to know that will provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant information about drugs:

  1. The drug database website of the Pharmaceutical Division (Hebrew) is where you can find information on any drug, including drugs in the Israeli Drug Registry, about adapting drugs to medical conditions, alternatives, and prices
  2. The Kol Habriut website (Hebrew) which includes the entire information about the copayment rate when paying for drugs

If you require information about shortage of medicines (for example, if a certain medicine you usually take is missing), you can contact the drug company or the Ministry of Health Hotline, Kol Habriut.

Discounts on Medicines

You may be entitled to a discount when buying medicines. Those who belong to one or more of the following population groups receive the discount:

  • Senior citizens aged 72 and over.
  • Recipients of an old age pension upon completion of income.
  • Recipients of survivor's pension upon completion of income who have reached retirement age.
  • Recipients of an old age pension for the disabled.
  • Zion prisoners who receive income-based compensation who have reached retirement age.
  • World War II veterans (veterans).
  • Holocaust survivors and the disabled and the disabled of the war against the Nazis who received a grant or allowance following their persecution.

If you require drugs because of a temporary or chronic disease, there are two websites you should get to know that will provide you with comprehensive information, prices, the rate of copayment, and a response to questions about drugs.

Drug database

On the drug database website of the Ministry of Health, you can find the answers to the following questions:

  • Is a certain drug registered in the Israeli Drug Registry?
  • Which over-the-counter drugs are best to treat my condition or symptoms?
  • Are there alternative drugs for the drug I received from the doctor?
  • What is the price of the drug?
  • Is a certain drug included in the health basket?

Moreover, you can find on the website information about new drugs, discontinued drugs, and updates about drugs.

The drug database

Kol Habriut

On this website, you can find information about the rate of copayment required when purchasing drugs according to the insuring HMO. On this site, you will also find information about eligibility for discounts and exemptions from copayment.

Discounts on Medicines

You may be entitled to a discount when buying medicines. Those who belong to one or more of the following population groups receive the discount:

  • Senior citizens aged 72 and over.
  • Recipients of an old age pension upon completion of income.
  • Recipients of survivor's pension upon completion of income who have reached retirement age.
  • Recipients of an old age pension for the disabled.
  • Zion prisoners who receive income-based compensation who have reached retirement age.
  • World War II veterans (veterans).
  • Holocaust survivors and the disabled and the disabled of the war against the Nazis who received a grant or allowance following their persecution.

Frequently asked questions on medicines 

The consumer leaflet that comes with the drug lists the side effects that can be caused by the drug. You can contact the Ministry of Health to receive general information about side effects, indications, contraindications, and the reciprocal association between drugs. For individual consultation, contact your family doctor.

You can report the side-effects you have felt while using the drug through an online form. The form can be filled out by a doctor, but it is also intended to be filled out by members of the public.

  • Through the drug company: You can contact the drug company whose details appear on the drug package and on the drug database
  • The Ministry of Health: You can contact the Ministry of Health’s hotline, Kol Habriut, and ask about the shortage and when it is expected to be replenished