For more than two weeks, pharmacies across Israel have struggled with a critical shortage of medications, including life-saving drugs, due to severe supply chain disruptions by Novolog, the country’s sole pharmaceutical distributor.
The crisis stems from the company's transition to a new ordering software system, which has led to logistical breakdowns.
“This is a public health catastrophe, a significant blow to public well-being,” said David Papo, chairman of the Pharmacists' Union for Private Pharmacies. He warned the shortages have impacted essential drugs for cancer treatment, chemotherapy, blood pressure management and other critical conditions, many of which lack alternatives.
Novolog had announced a temporary suspension of supplies from December 25 to January 6 to implement the software upgrade. However, despite claims operations have resumed, pharmacies report persistent disruptions in delivery schedules.
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“The company failed to take necessary precautions to mitigate the crisis,” Papo said. “They didn't increase delivery days, hire additional drivers or operate on Fridays. It’s as if everything is normal. They’ve effectively admitted, ‘We collapsed.’”
Pharmacists describe the dire consequences for patients. “People are driving long distances to find medications. One patient, needing a critical lung treatment injection before traveling abroad, had to leave without it, hoping to find it overseas at a steep cost,” Papo recounted.
'A company with a monopoly on distributing thousands of medications cannot leave people without essential drugs for over two weeks. Even basic blood pressure medication or contraceptives are vital for daily life. This isn’t a luxury—this is life-saving supply. This situation is unsustainable'
“This situation is unsustainable,” he added. “A company with a monopoly on distributing thousands of medications cannot leave people without essential drugs for over two weeks. Even basic blood pressure medication or contraceptives are vital for daily life. This isn’t a luxury—this is life-saving supply.”
Novolog said that it is "working to resume full supply in the near future and remains in ongoing communication with all customers to provide optimal solutions for every request. We are aware of the complexities and are fully committed to our clients and the healthcare market."
The company explained that on January 6, it transitioned to a new SAP system. "The implementation of the system represents a significant leap forward in customer service. Novolog informed its clients well in advance and continuously throughout the last quarter of 2024 about the transition to the SAP core system," the statement read.
"The rollout plan shared with clients detailed the steps for shutting down the existing system and launching the new system, allowing customers to prepare and stock up accordingly. Novolog took measures to strengthen all operations, bolster distribution activities, expand work teams, and enhance import, picking and delivery processes. Additionally, the company increased orders and supplies prior to the system launch."
The company emphasized its commitment to the healthcare market, noting, "Novolog continues to distribute life-saving medications in response to market demands. The system launch and market supplies are being implemented gradually, as planned, and the company is focused on fulfilling orders received through various channels."