Last week, the government announced that it had shaved CHF 100 million off the cost of drug purchases from 1 January 2020. This week numbers obtained by RTS from Curafutura, a health insurance association, show drug spending rose CHF 420 million from CHF 6.9 billion to CHF 7 billion between October 2018 and September 2019 […]
Swiss government cuts drug prices by 100 million francs
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recently announced it had reduced the price Swiss healthcare providers and patients will pay for 257 drugs by 16.3%. These lower prices, which take affect on 1 December 2019, are expected to save CHF 100 million annually. The FOPH looked at the prices of 478 drugs and achieved […]
Obesity to cut nearly 2 years off Swiss life expectancy
Between 2020 and 2050 obesity is forecast to reduce life expectancy by 2.7 years across the OECD, according to a recently published OECD report. In Switzerland obesity is forecast to shave almost 2 years (1.93) off life expectancy between 2020 and 2050, according to OECD calculations. Its expected impact on Swiss healthy life expectancy (HALE) […]
Swiss flu vaccination day coming soon
Every year, Switzerland has a nationwide flu vaccination day ahead of the winter season. Last flu season an estimated 210,000 people came down with the illness, according to government figures. On flu vaccination day – this year on 8 November – you can go to any participating pharmacy or doctor’s surgery without an appointment and […]
Weak winter sunlight explains Swiss vitamin D deficiency
A study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) shows that Switzerland’s weak winter sunlight doesn’t provide a level of vitamin D anywhere close to the minimum recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). While sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer it also produces vitamin D, a substance essential for bone health […]
Referendum to ban tobacco advertising in Switzerland reaches 100,000 signatures
An initiative demanding a ban on tobacco advertising has collected 109,969 valid signatures, more than the 100,000 minimum required to launch a popular vote, according to RTS. The planned vote entitled: “Yes to the protection of children and young people against tobacco advertising” demands the federal government ban all forms of tobacco advertising towards children […]
Migros recalls cheese containing harmful bacteria
Internal testing by Migros found listeria bacteria in a Gorgonzola e Mascarpone cheese product. The cheese product shown above should not be eaten, according to Migros. If consumed it could trigger flu-like symptoms including fever, headache and nausea. Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems who have consumed this product and who have these […]
Thousands protest against 5G mobile rollout in Swiss capital
Rollout of the next generation of mobile technology, known as 5G, has met with resistance in Switzerland. Last week, a demonstration in Bern, organized by Frequencia against the rollout, attracted thousands, according to RTS. Frequencia claims more than 3,000 people attended the protest. Switzerland is one of the first countries to rollout the new technology, […]
Occasional daytime naps may cut risk of heart attack, according to Swiss study
Research done in Switzerland suggests an occasional daytime nap could dramatically reduce the risk of a heart attack. The study, conducted by Nadine Häusler of the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital of Lausanne, followed 3,462 people in Lausanne aged from 35 to 75 for 5 years, according to the American Journal of Managed Care […]
Swiss upper house votes to further restrict tobacco advertising
Switzerland is one of a small number of countries that has not ratified the World Health Organisation (WHO) ban on tobacco advertising known as FCTC. Currently, Switzerland only bans tobacco advertising on television and radio. The WHO ban goes much further. 181 countries have already ratified the WHO ban. Andorra, Monaco and Liechtenstein are the […]
