Health Economy

We examine the impact of major global companies in Switzerland and internationally, with a primary focus on key Swiss industries: pharma, healthcare, food, and agribusiness.

How Switzerland’s pig’s feet export gamble in China faltered

This content was published on Jun 10, 2026 The chance to sell unwanted pork cuts to China for high prices was too good to resist. But record-low prices and higher shipping costs are now denting Swiss pork exporters’ profits.

Medicine access

AI’s next pharma challenge: tackling costly and risky clinical trials

This content was published on May 29, 2026 Drug companies are betting AI can fix the slow, expensive process of testing new drugs in humans.

People observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims as they watch on a screen in "Le Regent Congress hall" the official commemorative ceremony during the national day of mourning following the deadly fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Friday, January 9.

Crans-Montana: when a medical bill is not just a bill

This content was published on May 26, 2026 After the deadly bar fire in Crans-Montana, unexpected hospital invoices sent across the border ignited tensions between Switzerland and Italy – and revealed how systems clash when tragedy strikes.

Dangerous delivery: how doctors in Geneva handled the hantavirus

This content was published on May 15, 2026 Geneva University Hospital was the first to identify the hantavirus variant behind an outbreak on a cruise ship in May 2026. Here’s how it did it.

Trump holds up executive order in favour of research and access to psychedelic treatments for mental health in the White House's Oval office.

Good news for Switzerland: US is fast-tracking psychedelics for mental health

This content was published on May 11, 2026 Switzerland is the only country in Europe offering psychedelic treatments, but access remains extremely limited for patients. US support means things could change. An analysis by Swissinfo.

Do you trust AI with your health?

People are starting to use AI for health advice with mixed results. What has been your experience with AI for health information?

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May 7, 2026

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Health and pharma journalist Jessica Davis Pluess explains drug pricing

Truth or tale: can pharma companies set prices for new drugs as high as they want?

This content was published on May 6, 2026 Debates over drug pricing have prompted Swissinfo readers to ask whether pharma companies can set prices for new drugs as high as they want.

The drug-pricing problem no one wants to talk about

This content was published on May 4, 2026 Tackling the misuse of patents by some big pharma companies could go a long way to bringing down drug prices.

From Covid to Hormuz, what has Switzerland learned about drug shortages?

This content was published on Apr 23, 2026 While immediate drug shortages aren’t expected, experts say the Middle East conflict could impact medicine availability in Switzerland.

What will be the next obesity blockbuster?

This content was published on Apr 22, 2026 What will the next generation of obesity drugs look like?

How Switzerland bought rapid access to Covid vaccines

This content was published on Apr 21, 2026 Switzerland released full Covid vaccine contracts, revealing the prices and terms it took for rapid access to vaccines during the pandemic.

A campaign to allow a limited "Right to Be Forgotten" is trying to provide better financial security for thousands of former cancer patients.

Cured but uninsurable: the hidden financial burden of surviving cancer in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 15, 2026 More people are surviving cancer than ever before. But in Switzerland a historical diagnosis can follow former patients for years.

Schizophrenia Brain of MRI scan data for child onset schizophrenia showing areas of brain growth and loss of tissue .

A brain scan before a prescription? Geneva’s bet on precision psychiatry

This content was published on Apr 4, 2026 Swiss scientists are hoping a simple brain scan can revolutionise treatment of mental illnesses.

Healthcare innovation

Pharma’s obesity campaigns juggle awareness and advertising

This content was published on Jun 4, 2026 Pharma giants are bankrolling obesity awareness campaigns, raising thorny questions about what constitutes drug advertising.

Bank J. Safra Sarasin buys Saxo Bank and access to fintech

This content was published on Jun 3, 2026 The Swiss M&A market reached record levels in 2025. Swissinfo looks at some of those deals and why they matter.

AI’s next pharma challenge: tackling costly and risky clinical trials

This content was published on May 29, 2026 Drug companies are betting AI can fix the slow, expensive process of testing new drugs in humans.

Novartis buys Avidity Biosciences as part of broader spending spree

This content was published on May 27, 2026 The Swiss M&A market reached record levels in 2025. Swissinfo looks at some of those deals and why they matter.

Good news for Switzerland: US is fast-tracking psychedelics for mental health

Do you trust AI with your health?

People are starting to use AI for health advice with mixed results. What has been your experience with AI for health information?

Join the discussion

May 7, 2026

2 Likes

5 Comments

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The drug-pricing problem no one wants to talk about

This content was published on May 4, 2026 Tackling the misuse of patents by some big pharma companies could go a long way to bringing down drug prices.

What will be the next obesity blockbuster?

This content was published on Apr 22, 2026 What will the next generation of obesity drugs look like?

How Switzerland bought rapid access to Covid vaccines

This content was published on Apr 21, 2026 Switzerland released full Covid vaccine contracts, revealing the prices and terms it took for rapid access to vaccines during the pandemic.

Men standing in front of a spherical vehicle, in black and white

From e-cigarettes to lab devices: surprising facts about Swiss patents

This content was published on Apr 15, 2026 Switzerland is the most innovative country in Europe in terms of patents. The five most exciting points about the latest statistics.

A brain scan before a prescription? Geneva’s bet on precision psychiatry

This content was published on Apr 4, 2026 Swiss scientists are hoping a simple brain scan can revolutionise treatment of mental illnesses.

Can Swiss pharma giant Roche reshape the obesity market?

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche is investing billions in new obesity treatments in hopes of breaking into a highly competitive market.

Agribusiness

How Switzerland’s pig’s feet export gamble in China faltered

Opinion

Responsible sourcing programmes of chocolate companies have failed the stress test

This content was published on May 26, 2026 Farmer poverty cannot be addressed through corporate commitments or investor dialogue with chocolate companies, argues Emma Farrell.

Fertilisers should be a humanitarian commodity, says Keytrade boss

This content was published on May 2, 2026 Melih Keyman, CEO of the Swiss fertiliser trading firm Keytrade, warns that the war in Iran is pushing fertilisers out of reach for those who need them most.

Nestlé has a rich history in China. The group, which opened its first office in Shanghai in 1908, provided the blueprint for western companies looking to expand in the country.

How Nestlé’s pioneering China business fell into disarray

This content was published on Apr 23, 2026 Chinese distributors are chasing the Swiss giant for refunds after it allegedly oversupplied the market as demand dropped.

How the war in Iran is affecting the Swiss food industry

This content was published on Apr 9, 2026 From chocolate sales at airports to fertiliser trade bottlenecks – the Swiss food and commodity industry is already feeling the impact of the war in the Middle East.

Is it still worth protecting the identity of Swiss cheese?

In an increasingly globalised food market, how can Switzerland still defend the identity of its cheeses and should it do so?

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Mar 31, 2026

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Parmelin ran a family winery before entering government in 2016.

Switzerland’s wine-making president pushes to restrict imports

This content was published on Mar 30, 2026 Effort to boost local producers draws ire from foreign rivals and domestic merchants.

The US plans to buy $10 million worth of Swiss cheese – just not from Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 30, 2026 US tariffs are being used to procure Swiss cheese produced by American farmers under a special provision to absorb surplus production and protect rural jobs.

Former Olympian CEO on hurdles facing Swiss confectioner Kägi

This content was published on Mar 28, 2026 Kägi is navigating a strong Swiss franc, rising raw material prices and sluggish demand in China, its CEO tells Swissinfo in an interview.

Dutch cities are banning meat advertising – will Switzerland follow?

This content was published on Mar 17, 2026 Amsterdam will become the first capital city to introduce a ban on advertising meat products to address climate change. It will be more difficult to implement such a policy in Switzerland.

Baby formula recall in Switzerland: why the delay?

This content was published on Mar 17, 2026 Several infant formula brands have recalled batches since January over traces of a potentially dangerous toxin, raising fresh questions about inspection standards.

Would a meat advertising ban cut emissions?

Livestock production accounts for about 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is why Amsterdam is banning meat advertising from May 1, 2026. What are your thoughts on this approach, and should similar measures be considered in other countries?

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Mar 17, 2026

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Health Economy

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How Switzerland’s pig’s feet export gamble in China faltered

More

AI’s next pharma challenge: tackling costly and risky clinical trials

More

Crans-Montana: when a medical bill is not just a bill

More

Dangerous delivery: how doctors in Geneva handled the hantavirus

More

Good news for Switzerland: US is fast-tracking psychedelics for mental health

More

Do you trust AI with your health?

More

Truth or tale: can pharma companies set prices for new drugs as high as they want?

More

The drug-pricing problem no one wants to talk about

More

From Covid to Hormuz, what has Switzerland learned about drug shortages?

More

What will be the next obesity blockbuster?

More

How Switzerland bought rapid access to Covid vaccines

More

Cured but uninsurable: the hidden financial burden of surviving cancer in Switzerland

More

A brain scan before a prescription? Geneva’s bet on precision psychiatry

More

Pharma’s obesity campaigns juggle awareness and advertising

More

Bank J. Safra Sarasin buys Saxo Bank and access to fintech

More

AI’s next pharma challenge: tackling costly and risky clinical trials

More

Novartis buys Avidity Biosciences as part of broader spending spree

More

Good news for Switzerland: US is fast-tracking psychedelics for mental health

More

Do you trust AI with your health?

More

The drug-pricing problem no one wants to talk about

More

What will be the next obesity blockbuster?

More

How Switzerland bought rapid access to Covid vaccines

More

From e-cigarettes to lab devices: surprising facts about Swiss patents

More

A brain scan before a prescription? Geneva’s bet on precision psychiatry

More

Can Swiss pharma giant Roche reshape the obesity market?

More

How Switzerland’s pig’s feet export gamble in China faltered

More

Responsible sourcing programmes of chocolate companies have failed the stress test

More

Fertilisers should be a humanitarian commodity, says Keytrade boss

More

How Nestlé’s pioneering China business fell into disarray

More

How the war in Iran is affecting the Swiss food industry

More

Is it still worth protecting the identity of Swiss cheese?

More

Switzerland’s wine-making president pushes to restrict imports

More

The US plans to buy $10 million worth of Swiss cheese – just not from Switzerland

More

Former Olympian CEO on hurdles facing Swiss confectioner Kägi

More

Dutch cities are banning meat advertising – will Switzerland follow?

More

Baby formula recall in Switzerland: why the delay?

More

Would a meat advertising ban cut emissions?

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