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 a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 Geneva researchers are repurposing existing drugs for rare diseases, offering new hope where options are scarce.

Medicine access

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 Geneva researchers are repurposing existing drugs for rare diseases, offering new hope where options are scarce.

A mother’s quest to find a cure for her son

This content was published on Jun 30, 2026 The story of how one mother is uniting families and researchers around the world to find a cure for her son’s rare disease.

A patient at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre walking down the corridor

Swiss healthcare costs rise faster than patients can keep up

This content was published on Jun 25, 2026 As Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance turns 30, an affordability crisis is forcing the country to take some difficult decisions to secure its future.

A speculum and a test swab used for HPV test and pap smears that help detect cervical cancers are laid out.

Switzerland needs to improve cervical cancer screening

This content was published on Jun 22, 2026 Most of Europe uses HPV tests to screen for potential related cancers, but not Switzerland. It’s time the country updates to the gold standard.

Six charts show challenges facing Swiss pharmaceutical industry

This content was published on Jun 17, 2026 The pharma industry is a mainstay of the Swiss economy and a global heavyweight. But the rise of new players could shake things up.

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.

Healthcare innovation

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 Geneva researchers are repurposing existing drugs for rare diseases, offering new hope where options are scarce.

A mother’s quest to find a cure for her son

This content was published on Jun 30, 2026 The story of how one mother is uniting families and researchers around the world to find a cure for her son’s rare disease.

Japanese SoftBank acquires robotics arm of ABB to create super AI

This content was published on Jun 25, 2026 The Swiss M&A market reached record levels in 2025. Swissinfo looks at some of those deals and why they matter.

Switzerland needs to improve cervical cancer screening

This content was published on Jun 22, 2026 Most of Europe uses HPV tests to screen for potential related cancers, but not Switzerland. It’s time the country updates to the gold standard.

Six charts show challenges facing Swiss pharmaceutical industry

This content was published on Jun 17, 2026 The pharma industry is a mainstay of the Swiss economy and a global heavyweight. But the rise of new players could shake things up.

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

4 Likes

7 Comments

View the discussion

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.

Agribusiness

‘We want Orior to strengthen its position in the world of premium food’

This content was published on Jun 27, 2026 Monika Walser, currently at the helm of Swiss food and beverage group Orior, says building international food brands is challenging.

Cadmium: Switzerland seen as safe, but imports raise doubts

This content was published on Jun 19, 2026 A French report on high cadmium exposure from food has put the heavy metal in the spotlight again. Switzerland says its consumers are protected. Is this really the case?

The era of cheap tomatoes from Spain may be over

This content was published on Jun 12, 2026 Spain is the top source of imported fruit and vegetables in Swiss supermarkets. However, higher wages, tighter regulations and competition from outside Europe are eroding its dominance.

Photo of a factory with machines and workers sorting through tomatoes.

Spain bets on AI and automation to power its fruit and vegetable industry

This content was published on Jun 12, 2026 Spain is Switzerland’s top supplier of fruit and vegetables and the country is now turning to new technology to transform the sector.

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.

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.

Health Economy

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How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

More

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

More

A mother’s quest to find a cure for her son

More

Swiss healthcare costs rise faster than patients can keep up

More

Switzerland needs to improve cervical cancer screening

More

Six charts show challenges facing Swiss pharmaceutical industry

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

How a Swiss lab is finding new cures in old drugs

More

A mother’s quest to find a cure for her son

More

Japanese SoftBank acquires robotics arm of ABB to create super AI

More

Switzerland needs to improve cervical cancer screening

More

Six charts show challenges facing Swiss pharmaceutical industry

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

‘We want Orior to strengthen its position in the world of premium food’

More

Cadmium: Switzerland seen as safe, but imports raise doubts

More

The era of cheap tomatoes from Spain may be over

More

Spain bets on AI and automation to power its fruit and vegetable industry

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

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