About Chaverim | Israel Family Services
For decades, Chaverim – Israel Family Service (IFS), a non-proft organization in the United States, has been engaged in providing assistance to patients and their families, both in Israel and the United States.
The organization's vision is to provide emotional, logistical and professional support in medical emergencies and therapeutic processes, and since its establishment has excelled in its services and contribution to promoting the quality of care.
In 2010, IFS initiated and established a professional and significant relationship with Haverim L'Refuah ('Friends for Health'), a non-proft organization in Israel, which strengthened its activities and gave it additional tools to respond in the most professional and urgent manner to the needs of patients.
The Medication Collection System
In Israel, medications worth over 500 million NIS are thrown away every year. From simple medications that cost a few shekels to expensive medications whose price can reach hundreds of thousands of shekels every month, as well as expensive medications that are not provided by national or private health insurance. These medications are life-saving for patients who are unable to purchase them.
For the people who need these medications, we have set up collection points throughout Israel. Now, you too can donate medications you no longer need or use, and we will pass them on to those who need them. So simple - so life saving!
Medication Sorting and Distribution –
Ensuring a 'Green' Environment
Haverim L'Refuah's sorting and distribution center operates as any other pharmacy, in accordance with the rules of the Ministry of Health. Donated medications are received by teams of volunteer pharmacists whose job it is to ensure the safety and quality of the medication.
Medications found to be suitable and valid are transferred to the logistics center for distribution, placed in the hundreds of drawers and shelves of the free pharmacy. Medications that are invalid or are not suitable for distribution are sent to environmentally-safe disposal - thereby preserving the quality of our ground and water.
The distribution of medications is a complex craft that combines responsibility, sensitivity, humanity and care. We deal with thousands of applicants on the one hand and with the desire to provide solutions for each applicant so that we can take care of the most needy with a minimum of bureaucracy. Medication is delivered only upon presentation of a valid prescription.
At Haverim L'Refuah we do our best so that every patient receives his or her medication in the most pleasant and professional manner. We do our best to ensure that the medications reach the homes of patients who cannot afford them, completely free, so that they will not have to choose between medication and food.
Expensive Medication Procurement System and the Legal Department
Too often people's lives depend on money and on their ability to deal with bureaucratic roadblocks. Some of the medications required to treat diseases are very expensive and their cost can reach tens of thousands of shekels per month. These medications can save lives, but its high price is highly prohibitive. Thus, in addition to the physical and mental struggle, an impossible economic struggle is added.
The Department of Expensive Medications of Haverim L'Refuah receives and reviews medication requests in accordance with strict procedures, the department's legal advisors examine the patient's rights and work to obtain initial approval of the medication from the health maintenance organizations and insurance companies. At the same time, we work to obtain the medications from surplus medications in the community and, if necessary, the organization opens a crowdfund to raise donations to finance the treatment.
Crowdfunding 'Save a Life' funds
Every day we receive requests for help in financing life-saving medications, treatments and surgeries, the cost of which reaches tens of thousands and even millions of shekels. We try to help, to give more hope to every patient who is fighting for their life. Whether it is a complex surgery abroad, or expensive innovative drugs that are not included in their health plan.
Every fund can save a life!
Collaborations with Pharmaceutical Companies
We believe it is our mission and duty to connect the pharmaceutical companies to our vision, so that no patient loses their life due to a lack of medication. Thus, in addition to over 1,200 medication collection points, over 40 leading pharmaceutical companies in Israel are partners in our mission with the aim of providing assistance to patients in need.
We are constantly working to deepen our collaborations with Israeli and international pharmaceutical companies in order to enable more patients to receive the medication they need.
Department for International Assistance in Emergency Situations
In times of emergency and distress around the world, we occasionally receive international requests for aid and assistance. The International Assistance Department operates a call center and an international aid system that operates creatively to obtain medications and medical equipment.
The organization maintains a close relationship with the emergency bodies in Israel, the IDF, the Home Front Command and the Ministry of Health, which makes it possible to come together and find quick solutions in emergency situations.
In recent years, the organization has been behind dozens of operations to transfer tons of medical equipment and medications around the world, which constituted a quick and effective response to life-threatening situations.
