Among the multitudinous and varied benevolent organizations scattered across Israel, a unique organization is making special matches – between those who no longer need the medications they possess, and those who need the medicines but cannot afford them.

For seven years, "Friends of Medicine" has helped Israelis in need of medication to acquire precious – and often prohibitively expensive – therapy.  About three years ago, the organization initiated a call for left-over medications, with a goal of pairing the medicine up with Israelis in treatment.

"Each patient according to his needs," said Chairman Yechiel Landman. "We have 150 bank accounts to collect donations. We accompany patients who will need complicated treatments."

"In 90 to 95 percent of the cases we do not see the donor or the recipient," emphasized Landman. The organization will usually simply give the contact details of the person possessing the drug to the person in need of the drug, and let the person in need send someone to pick it up, he explained.

Recipients of a newly-acquired drug are chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis, but also taking into account the socio-economic background of the patient.  "We know that if a person is asking [for our help], they need it," said Landman

"There was a case in which the cost of a prescribed drug cost over NIS 30,000," said Landman. "We turned to the manufacturer and they agreed to give to a different person every two months, and every period another person came in and received medication. In order to determine who would receive it, a committee was formed and appointed Rabbi Stern from Bnei Barak to [make the determination]."

Elderly people are frequent recipients from the program, as Landsman says they often have difficulty affording the co-payments necessary to buy drugs which are mostly covered by national health insurance. "Some months we have 200 packages going out to the elderly," Landsman said.

While Landsman has never seen most of the recipients, "the thank you letters we get say it all."

Landsman calls on those with excess or unnecessary drugs to make themselves known, and assures interested recipients that there are many more drugs available upon request – and after the receipt of a current prescription.

Interested parties can visit the website www.haverim.org.il or call the organization at 03-5792220.