Medicines are cheaper abroad

The price of medicine in Switzerland remains higher than in neighbouring countries, a survey shows.

The cost of patented drugs was up to one-quarter less expensive in other European countries over the first half of 2008, according to findings published by the Association of Health Insurers, santésuisse, on Thursday.

Factory prices of patented drugs were between 17 and 25 per cent cheaper in Austria, France and Italy than in Switzerland and up to seven per cent less in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain.

“In Switzerland, the pharmaceutical industry and businesses continue to set prices that are sometimes clearly superior to that in a comparative country for absolutely identical products,” the association commented.

The differences in prices dropped slightly when compared with last year, but the association said higher costs in Switzerland still represented a premium of SFr340 million ($321 million).

Generic makes are underused, the study found. By comparing 30 different medicines, the study found patients could save a total of SFr135 million by regularly using the cheapest generic makes.

Santésuisse has carried out a price comparison of medicine in seven European countries for the past four years and says regular surveys of costs will prevent escalating prices.