The Health Ministry announced on Sunday that the budget for the basic basket of government-subsidized medicines will grow by five million shekels in 2009, following an agreement reached with the Finance Ministry, according to the News First class website. An additional five million shekels is slated to be added in 2010.
The Health Ministry says drug prices are expected to come down in December. Ministry Director-General Avi Yisraeli said there was a 27 percent drop in the price of medicines in the past year, which saved those who needed them about 30 million shekels.