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, […]
Foreigners most at risk of domestic violence in Switzerland
In 2021, 11,148 people reported being victims of domestic violence in Switzerland, according to figures reported this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). This figure represents 0.13% of the population or 13 out of every 10,000. Overall, women and girls (18 per 10,000) were 2.3 times more likely than men and boys (8 per […]
More than 40% of cyclists do not wear helmets in Switzerland
More than 40% of cyclists in Switzerland do not wear helmets, according to BFA, a safety advisory group. In 2022, 44% of riders of regular bicycles did not wear head protection, a figure 1 percentage point higher than in 2021, said the report. The figure for riders of e-bikes was lower but displayed a similar […]
Switzerland to destroy 10 million doses of Covid vaccine
Switzerland is to destroy more than 10 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, reported RTS. The 10.3 million doses of vaccine have reached their expiry date, which cannot be extended, said the government. 2.5 million doses are stored in Switzerland with further 7.8 million stored in Belgium, said the Federal Office of Public Health […]
Swiss health insurance set to rise by most since 2010
On 27 September 2022, the Swiss government published health insurance premiums for 2023. On average premiums will rise by 6.6% with large variations depending on age and where you live. The 6.6% average increase in 2023 is the fifth largest rise since Switzerland’s current system of health insurance began in 1996. The last time it […]
