Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Biological treatments for severe asthma are widely available in Israel. Over 20,000 citizens currently use these advanced therapies. Specialized centers provide monoclonal antibodies like Tezepelumab and Dupilumab. Patients typically access these treatments after standard inhalers and corticosteroids fail to control symptoms.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many patients focus on specific medications, the choice of clinic in Israel often depends on research specialization. Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Rambam Medical Center are both JCI-accredited and recognized by Newsweek among the world's best. These institutions often participate in clinical trials, giving patients earlier access to the newest biological protocols before they become standard care elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that rigorous documentation of symptoms and previous medication failures is essential for approval. Many note that working closely with a specialist at a major hospital helps navigate the approval process more efficiently.
You cannot buy asthma inhalers over the counter in Israel. All inhalers, including Ventolin (salbutamol), require a prescription from a physician licensed in Israel. Local pharmacies like Super-Pharm generally do not honor foreign prescriptions. Visitors must consult a local doctor to obtain a valid Israeli script.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers manage massive patient volumes, with Sourasky Medical Center treating 1,800,000 people annually. This high traffic means local pharmacies and urgent care clinics are highly efficient at processing standard respiratory prescriptions like inhalers. For travelers, navigating the system is faster through multidisciplinary hubs in Tel Aviv or Haifa rather than smaller peripheral clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that pharmacies will turn you away even with a clear US prescription. They suggest visiting a walk-in clinic immediately upon arrival to avoid running out of medication.
Patients traveling to Israel for specialized asthma care must bring comprehensive medical records in English or Hebrew. Essential documents include detailed physician summaries, pulmonary function test results, and original imaging discs. You also need a complete medication list with valid prescriptions for legal entry and local refills.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pulmonology centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) serve over 1.8 million patients annually and maintain high diagnostic standards. A critical detail often missed is that specialists like Dr. Juda Schwarz or Dr. Avraam Man require raw data from tests, not just summaries. Since Sourasky uses digital imaging and advanced EHRs, providing DICOM files on a USB drive ensures specialists can view findings in high resolution immediately.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing every spirometry result and peak flow log from the last 5 years. They note that having these records prevents delays when starting biological treatments or severe asthma protocols.
Locating an English-speaking pulmonologist or allergist in Israel is efficient through international patient departments at JCI-accredited centers. These departments streamline access for foreigners to specialists at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center. English-proficient staff manage appointments without the standard bureaucratic delays.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky (Ichilov) serve over 1,800,000 patients annually. They often have specialists with American or European training. For instance, Dr. Avraam Man at Sourasky holds a medical degree from the United States. Choosing doctors with international credentials ensures high English proficiency and familiar treatment protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is easy to find English-speaking care in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Many suggest contacting hospital international desks directly for quick testing and inhaler prescriptions.
You can bring personal asthma medication into Israel for up to 90 days. Standard inhalers like Ventolin are generally not controlled substances. You must carry a valid English prescription. Keep all medications in original pharmacy packaging with clear labels to avoid customs delays.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While travelers focus on customs, the real advantage in Israel is accessibility at centers like Sourasky (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv. Specialists like Dr. Avraam Man, who chairs a pulmonary clinic, often manage complex cases using advanced diagnostics. If you lose your medication, these JCI-accredited facilities provide rapid consultations to issue valid local prescriptions for high-quality Israeli generics.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that inhalers usually pass through security easily but suggest keeping them in carry-on bags. Many travelers recommend having the generic drug names ready because Israeli pharmacies often stock affordable equivalents if an emergency refill is needed.