On 21 June 2023, the government published figures on the direct health costs of the Covid pandemic. During 2020, 2021 and 2022, the federal government spent CHF 4.9 billion, the cantons up to CHF 2.9 billion and health insurers as much as CHF 1.4 billion. The CHF 9.2 billion total comes out at more than […]
Swiss government sees need to regulate Nutri-score
This week, Switzerland’s Council of States decided the federal government should create a framework for the use of Nutri-Score to avoid some food producers being disadvantaged, reported SRF. Switzerland’s upper house is no doubt responding to complaints by Swiss cheese producers and fruit growers that the nutritional labelling system, which was developed in France, risks […]
Swiss aim to test a melanoma vaccine
An MRNA vaccine against certain kinds of melanoma will soon be tested in Switzerland, reported RTS on 7 June 2023. The vaccine, developed by Moderna, was recently shown to be effective against certain cases of melanoma. HUG hospital in Geneva is aiming to begin clinical trials on the vaccine in summer or autumn this year, […]
18 percent of Long Covid patients in Switzerland still sick after two years
A recently updated Swiss study shows up to 18% of those surveyed with Long Covid had not recovered even two years after infection. Most of those affected by Long Covid recover. However, the results of a study in the canton of Zurich published this week in the British Medical Journal concluded that up to 18% […]
Paraplegic walks again thanks to Swiss implant
This week, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and the University Hospital in Lausanne (CHUV) tested a new system which allows the brain and spinal column to communicate. Dutchman Gert-Jan Oskam has been paralysed since a bicycle accident twelve years ago. Thanks to the implants, one in the skullcap and […]
Tobacco advertising could soon be effectively over in Switzerland
Switzerland has relatively accommodating rules regarding the advertising and sale of tobacco products. And it has correspondingly high smoking rates. That is likely to begin changing from next year, reported RTS. This week, the Federal Council sent parliament its position on how to implement the successful vote in February 2022 to ban tobacco advertising to […]
Tiger mosquito spreads to the canton of Vaud
A native of the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia, the tiger mosquito typically flies and feeds in the daytime in addition to at dusk and dawn. It has the potential to transmit numerous viruses including the yellow fever virus, dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever. It is also capable of hosting and spreading the […]
Price of generic drugs close to double in Switzerland
On 17 May 2023, Interpharma and Santésuisse published their annual report showing drug price comparisons across Europe. The good news is the drug price gap between Switzerland and its neighbours has narrowed. The extra paid for on-patent drugs in Switzerland is now 5.4% on average. However, the price premium paid for generic (+45.5%) and biosimilar […]
Proposal for budget Swiss health insurance
Last weekend, the PLR/FDP unveiled a plan to create a budget low cost health insurance option in Switzerland, reported RTS. The proposal, which includes lower cost ways of delivering healthcare, will be presented to parliament next month. Examples of ways to lower costs include limiting the choice of hospital and sharing hospital rooms with more […]
Opioid use almost doubles in Switzerland
Between 2008 and 2018, prescriptions for opioid painkillers almost doubled in Switzerland, reported RTS this week. Opioid prescriptions for minor injuries rose by 88.3% and those for serious injuries by 91.4% over the decade, according to a study run by Baden hospital. The study shows how the drugs are often prescribed for mild pain. According […]
