The committee that decides which medicines are to be covered under Israel's national health law on Thursday announced its new list of covered medicines and treatments for the coming year. Beginning next week, the “medicine basket” will include an additional 77 medications, that will cover treatments for which some 70,000 Israelis have until now been forced to pay out of their own pockets.

Among the new medications and treatments to be added are Byetta and Victoza, treatments for Type-II (adult) diabetes; MucoClear, a treatment for cystic fibrosis; several treatments for eye problems, including Ganfort; drugs for fertility treatments, AIDS, osteoporosis, and schizophrenia; as well ten new drugs for treatment of various cancers, including Afintor for treatment of SEGA brain tumors – a drug that six people in Israel currently take, at a cost of NIS 141,000 per person annually; as well as three new medical technologies for treatment of paralysis, pregnancy problems, and oral care...

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