On 16 December 2022, Switzerland’s federal government extended the provision of free Covid-19 vaccinations until the end of 2023. The government said that vaccines are a key element in combating the Covid-19 pandemic and offer good protection against serious illness and hospitalisation. Therefore, Covid-19 vaccinations will be reimbursed by the federal government if they are […]
Switzerland set to introduce stiffer penalties for noisy drivers
In 2019, noise was estimated to cost Switzerland CHF 2.8 billion, most of which (67%) was attributed to health. Around 80% of this was related to road noise. The government would like to reduce the problem and the Federal Council requested a commission look into it this week, reported RTS. The number of complaints related […]
Swiss hospitals postponing non-urgent operations
The ever increasing cost of Swiss healthcare does not translate into prompt service. Despite spending more Switzerland is suffering from a shortage of healthcare workers. And this is leading to the postponement of certain operations in some cantons, reported RTS. In French-speaking Switzerland, the hospital system is under strain. In the cantons of Fribourg, Bern, […]
Vitamin D boost – put your mushrooms in the sun
The level of vitamin D in most mushrooms bought from a supermarket is typically low. However, putting them in the sun can raise the level 10-fold. Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium and is important for muscle function. A lack of it is associated with a number of diseases. Evidence suggests getting enough vitamin […]
Confidential drug deals push up cost of Swiss healthcare, claims association
Around CHF 8 billion is spent annually on medicines prescribed for specific diseases in Switzerland. 20 drugs account for about a fifth of this cost, many of them sold at prices negotiated in secret. These confidential drug price negotiations are one of the reasons the cost of Swiss healthcare is rising so fast, claims Curafutura, […]
11 percent of Switzerland’s population exposed to water contaminated with Chlorothalonil
Levels of the chemical Chlorothalonil exceeding 0.1 micrograms per litre have been detected in the water used by around 700,000 people in Switzerland, reported RTS. Chlorothalonil is a chemical found in fungicides used to protect crops, preserve wood and to give paints antifungal properties. Typically among the top three most used agrochemicals it is used […]
Huge Covid test fraud potentially uncovered in Switzerland
While checking statements from health insurers a number of people have noticed Covid tests that were never administered. One individual in St. Gallen discovered 30 Covid tests billed by a doctor in Vaud on their statement, reported RTS. A spokesperson for Santésuisse, a health insurance association, said the organisation estimates that 1% of Covid tests […]
Switzerland to tax e-cigarettes
Those with a vaping habit in Switzerland will soon have to pay tax on vaping liquid, reported RTS. On 26 October 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council sent a project to tax the product to the federal parliament. Different levels of tax will be applied to two different categories of product. Reusable products will have their liquids […]
Numerous Swiss health insurance price comparison sites misleading
Ahead of deciding on where best to insure in 2023 numerous websites claim to offer reliable health insurance comparison tools. However, many cannot be trusted, according to a report by RTS. Nine out the 16 websites reviewed by a consumer advocacy association failed the test. The nine failing sites offered no product comparison. Instead they […]
Covid: free booster shots available from 10 October in Switzerland
From 10 October 2022, booster vaccine shots against the SARS-CoV-2 virus will be available free of charge across Switzerland. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is recommending everyone 16 and over get a booster shot. A key aim of the vaccination programme is to reduce the load on hospitals over the autumn flu season, […]
