The Tel Aviv Labor Court this week ordered Clalit Health Services to at least
temporarily supply a 74- year-old man whose condition is declining with a
medication that could help him, even before an appeals committee reviews his
case.
The suit was filed by lawyer Osnat Robovitz- Barkash in the labor
court – the judiciary body that has the authority to deal with cases relating to
the basket of health services – by the Dolev Foundation for Medical
Justice.
Judge Shmuel Tannenbaum strongly criticized the country’s
largest health fund for “footdragging for more than four months” and rejecting
his request to appoint an appeals committee.
The patient has a rare
neuropathic disease that affects his whole body. Previously, Clalit approved a
drug for him that was not registered for this kind of disorder, but it failed.
His specialist prescribed another drug also not listed for this specific
condition.
The patient, who said the second drug was cheaper than the
first, has a low pension income and cannot afford to purchase the drug by
himself.
The Dolev Foundation lawyer said the court ruling was a
“significant achievement for the public because, for the first time, the labor
court recognized the urgency of saving a life” and forced the health fund to
approve the treatment immediately, even before the health fund appeal committee
bureaucrats discussed the case.
“There is no doubt that his condition
requires the health insurer to act quickly,” the lawyer said, adding that it
sets a precedent for other desperate patients and will prevent future delays in
treatment.