FOPH and DFI Measures to Address Drug Shortages and Pricing in Switzerland

"This document outlines the actions taken by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the Department of Federal Interior (DFI) to manage drug shortages and regulate pricing.

1. Drug Shortage Measures:

• In spring 2023, a task force was established, including representatives from the Confederation, cantons, health sector, and economy.
• Short-term measures were introduced to address medicine shortages, allowing pharmacies to import missing medicines and produce some drugs, with health insurance covering the costs.

1. FOPH Directives:

• Amended directives allowed certain active substances to be dispensed in split quantities.
• Reimbursement policies were adjusted to alleviate the impact of shortages.

1. Price Fixing Exceptions:

• The FOPH can forgo price reductions for essential drugs during the triennial price review to prevent economic-driven market withdrawals.
• A differentiated re-examination process was proposed to protect inexpensive and essential medicines from price reductions.

1. Price Increase Requests:

• Price increases are generally excluded but may be approved in exceptional cases where no therapeutic alternatives exist.
• The evaluation of such requests is thorough and can take up to a year, with the FOPH developing a guide to streamline the process.

1. Recent Trends:
   From 2017 to 2023, the FOPH waived price reductions in over 120 cases.
   In 2023, 30 price increase requests were submitted, with one-third approved.
   In 2024, 10 requests were filed, with two approved so far, and the others under review."

Resource:https://www.newsd.admin.ch/newsd/message/attachments/89133.pdf##~https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/fr/home/das-bag/aktuell/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-102159.html

Region: Switzerland