When purchasing imported drugs in chain pharmacies, consumers often encounter counterfeits. Fraudsters operate so skillfully that they manage to mislead even experienced supervisors. But you can protect yourself by ordering medicines from Israel directly. Delivery is made from local pharmacies, where many unique drugs are available. Since the overpayment is minimal, the prices are also pleasing.
The level of development of pharmaceuticals in Israel
Pharmaceuticals is one of the most important, promising and actively developing branches of the Israeli industry. The profession of a pharmacist is highly demanded and respected. At the same time, about 50% of specialists received basic or additional education abroad.
Modern medicines produced in Israel not only provide consumers in the domestic market, but are also exported. The country is considered one of the world leaders in the development and production of the latest drugs. It was here that Copaxone (an effective drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis) and Azilect (a drug for combating Parkinson's disease) were invented.
Interesting fact: 27% of drugs produced in the United States are manufactured under Israeli patents. However, this is not surprising, because of the 9,000 Israeli professionals employed in this field, 4,500 have scientific degrees. An important role is played by modern equipment used for research and production of drugs.
Currently, Israeli pills for diabetes, drugs for cancer, heart disease and others have gained immense popularity.
The most famous Israeli drug manufacturers
In Israel, there are a huge number of enterprises for the production of drugs, dietary supplements and generics (copies of drugs with a similar active substance, previously patented by other companies).
- Dr. Fisher. It has been on the market since 1985. It produces about 5,000,000 products annually, including not only medicines, but also cosmetic products.
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Modern pharmaceutical enterprises "Teva" are among the world leaders in the production of generics. The list of products consists of 1 450 items.
- CTS Groupe. On the market since 1921. It produces not only medicines, but also veterinary equipment and agricultural products.
- Neopharm. Known for medications to maintain health, the dispensing of which is allowed without a doctor's prescription.
- Pluristem Therapeutics. He is engaged in unique developments in the field of stem cells and placental technologies.
- Perrigo Israel. A local division of an American company that owns several Israeli drug brands. Its factories produce drugs in Israel for body cleansing, consumer, cosmetic and other products.
- Kamada. Focuses on drug development through protein purification and separation. It is also engaged in the sale of medicines.
Why are medicines from Israel good?
Preparations, health products, active supplements and medical equipment from Israel have two main advantages: uniqueness and high quality.
Whatever you order - eyeglass lenses from Israeli manufacturers, tablets, drops or food additives - the composition and parameters indicated on the package will exactly correspond to the product contained inside.
What makes it possible to achieve high quality production is a multi-level control system by the Israeli Ministry of Health.
Strict requirements for compliance with standards are put forward at all stages of drug production:
- selection of raw materials;
- preparation technology;
- storage and transportation of finished products.
Two categories of international standards serve as a benchmark for quality control of medicinal products:
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
The GCP (Good Clinical Practice) standard is an international standard for the ethics and quality of scientific research, which describes the rules for the design, conduct, documentation and reporting of research that involves human participation as a subject.
The GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) standard is a quality system that encompasses the organizational process and conditions under which non-clinical studies of medicines related to health and environmental safety are performed.
Information on whether the drug is approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health can be obtained from the link.
Features of the pharmacy system in Israel
To purchase most of the drugs and medical equipment in Israeli pharmacies, you will need:
- a doctor's prescription (not only entitles you to purchase a medicine for a specific disease, but also often provides a discount);
- a health insurance card that serves a citizen (an organization that provides health insurance).
When selling a medicine, the pharmacist indicates:
- buyer's full name;
- rules, individual dosage and schedule for taking the drug;
- the full name of the doctor who wrote the prescription;
- prescription number;
- full name of the drug;
- date of sale of the medicinal product;
- full name of the pharmacist who sold the drug indicated in the prescription.
According to their format, Israeli pharmacies are divided into the following groups:
- pharmacies "at home" or at polyclinics (secondly, you can purchase drugs made by order of a specific health insurance fund);
- pharmacy supermarkets. Their advantage of pharmacy supermarkets is a wide selection of products, including household chemicals and even underwear.
Any pharmacy has its own official website, a system of discounts and promotions.
How to buy medicine or medical equipment from Israel
There is a list of prescription drugs in the country. The majority of such medicines. Their purchase is possible only with a prescription from a doctor. This important rule is observed even when remote ordering of medicines from Israel via the Internet is carried out. An online pharmacy pharmacist may request a document confirming the exact diagnosis and prescription of a drug for a specific patient.
There are several options for purchasing original Israeli medicines and medical equipment.
If you are a tourist and are faced with health problems, in order to purchase medicines you need:
- contact the insurance company that serves you;
- make an appointment with an Israeli doctor;
- get a prescription and get the drugs you need from your local pharmacy.
Foreign citizens can order Israeli medicines at home through intermediary firms. Their representatives will tell you in detail how to order Israeli medicines in pharmacies.
Payment for the services of such organizations is made by bank transfer. In this case, the organization can set a minimum order amount. Cancellation of an already paid order is possible only until the moment the parcel is dispatched from Israel. Refunds are made on time: usually 30 days
It should be borne in mind that the terms of payment and delivery of goods by each company are set independently. Therefore, having made your choice in favor of Israel Pharmacy or any other online pharmacy, be sure to read all the current terms of service.
Any pharmacy in Israel has its own website and allows you to place orders remotely, paying for them by bank transfer.This is especially convenient if you are a foreigner permanently or temporarily residing in the country.
Any modern online pharmacy in Israel offers options for remote payment and delivery of necessary goods.
Features of the work of online pharmacies
To purchase Israeli medicines or medical equipment from an online pharmacy, you will need to do the following:
- registration on the website;
- adding items to the cart;
- filling out the application form on the website of the intermediary firm (with the provision of contact information);
- clarification of the nuances of an order with a pharmacist;
- payment for the goods and the selected delivery method;
- picking up the goods by means of the selected delivery method (courier service, express mail, self-pickup from an Israeli pharmacy).
How do duty pharmacies work in Israel
Israel has a well-developed and well-functioning system of on-duty pharmacies. If the pharmacy closest to your location is closed, on its doors you will always find information about the address of the nearest emergency facility.
It should be noted that duty pharmacies are open even on holidays and weekends. Shabbat is no exception.
In addition, the country has a network of round-the-clock pharmacies. You can easily find such an institution in Tel Aviv and other major cities.
How much do drugs from Israel cost?
If you order Israeli medicines through an online pharmacy in your home country, the price for them will be formed as follows:
(drug cost + delivery cost + seller's commission + payment system / bank commission) - (VAT up to 17% + discounts).
In online pharmacies, prices for items are indicated in international currency: US dollar, euro, shekel. The total cost of medicines in Israel when converted into other currencies can vary significantly depending on the current exchange rate.
A foreign citizen who purchases medicines from Israeli pharmacies for use in the country will not be able to refund VAT.
Terms of payment and delivery of medicines from Israel
The following payment options for Israeli medicines and drugs are currently available:
- bank transfer;
- PayPal;
- Unistream;
- payment by credit card;
- cash upon receipt of the goods.
There are several options for delivering medicines from Israel to a foreign buyer:
| Delivery method | Estimated delivery time | approximate cost of delivery to the Russian Federation |
|---|---|---|
| Express mail EMS | 4-10 business days | 80 $ |
| Courier delivery of medicines from Israel to your home | 5-7 working days | 100 $ to Moscow + from 3000 ₽ within the Russian Federation |
| Free shipping | not installed | free of charge (the service is provided from a certain amount of the order) |
| Standard Mail Shipping | 2 days - 3-4 weeks | to Moscow 100 $ |
| Express delivery | up to 5 days | calculated individually |
| Pickup from an Israeli pharmacy | - | free, with VAT refund up to 17% |
Intermediary firms guarantee the delivery of medicines in compliance with the required temperature regime. At the request of the customer, the shipment of medicines from Israel can be insured for a fee.
What to look for when buying medicines from Israel
When ordering the delivery of medicines from abroad, including from Israel to the CIS countries, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- pricing in this particular intermediary company (the presence of a requirement for the minimum order amount, options for canceling the order, the presence of additional commissions and the percentage of VAT refund);
- make a scan of the recipe in advance in order to send it to the pharmacist on demand and not waste your time;
- when purchasing ointments for psoriasis in Israel, medicines for diabetes and other serious drugs, check whether this medicine is a unique development of Israeli doctors or a generic;
- manufacturer (its reputation, time on the market, reviews).
Restrictions on the export / import of medicinal products
In 2021, the following restrictions on the import / export of medicines from the country are in force in Israel:
- Prescription-only drugs require a prescription;
- medications containing psychotropic and narcotic substances are dispensed strictly according to a doctor's prescription, in a limited amount necessary exclusively for individual use.
Summarizing
By purchasing modern drugs for maintaining health, treating HIV, skin infections or cancer drugs from Israel, you get the most effective and one hundred percent authentic drugs at your disposal.
Most medicines require a doctor's prescription, including when ordering online through an intermediary firm. If psychotropic and narcotic substances are contained in drugs, they may be limited in quantity for export from the country. Upon presentation of the prescription, there will be no problems with the passage of customs inspection.
Having decided to buy medicines in Israel through an online pharmacy, you should carefully calculate the total cost, adding to it the delivery costs and possible commissions from the seller / payment systems.
Many leading Israeli clinics, such as the Sourasky Medical Center (until 1973, Top Ichilov Hospital), offer drug delivery to their patients.
