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.

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

Harvesting coffee in Alfenas, Brazil, in July. The country is the world’s largest coffee producer.

This content was published on Oct 24, 2025 A new report by an industry watchdog adds to growing scientific consensus that as forests are felled to make way for coffee farms, rainfall decreases and crops are more likely to fail.

Medicine access

Switzerland charts new course on gender medicine despite headwinds

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Gender medicine is fighting to go mainstream, but funding gaps and political pushback are making it very hard.

Patent battle in India tests Roche’s grip on rare disease market

This content was published on Oct 16, 2025 What’s behind the patent battle between an Indian generic maker and Roche over a rare disease drug?

How Switzerland became liberal on abortion – without noticing

This content was published on Oct 11, 2025 From 2027 Swiss health insurers will cover the full cost of abortions. The change passed through parliament almost unnoticed.

Two white drug tablets on a red background.

Swiss drugmakers face mixed fortunes amid Trump’s tariff upheaval

This content was published on Oct 8, 2025 Pharma giants may escape the worst of the import tariffs threatened by the US. But Switzerland’s smaller developers face a more uncertain future.

As private equity firms expand their footprint into the world of pharmaceuticals testing, many drug trials are now being vetted by companies with ties to the drugmakers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and patient safety.

How private equity oversees the ethics of drug research

This content was published on Oct 7, 2025 Many drug trials are vetted by companies with ties to the drugmakers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and patient safety.

Rising health insurance premiums and debates over media fees are hitting the wallets of people in Switzerland.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Sep 23, 2025 Rising health insurance premiums and debates over media fees are making headlines in Switzerland.

How a clash with Roche exposed cracks in Swiss drug pricing system

This content was published on Sep 19, 2025 Switzerland’s new process to speed up patient access to the latest drugs hit its first major hurdle in a clash with Roche.

The high stakes fight over drug prices

This content was published on Sep 19, 2025 Global drug pricing disputes are intensifying as pharma firms and regulators clash over how much a medicine is worth.

Are US patients subsidising healthcare abroad? Journalist Jessica Davis Pluess takes a look at this claim.

Truth or tale: Are US patients subsidising healthcare in Switzerland?

This content was published on Sep 4, 2025 Truth or tale: Are US patients subsidising healthcare in the rest of the world?

How Novartis got ahead on ‘incredible’ cancer breakthrough

This content was published on Sep 2, 2025 The Swiss pharma group has become a pioneer in a new type of targeted radiotherapy.

Ypsomed CEO: US production to begin in 2027

This content was published on Aug 30, 2025 Ypsomed CEO explains why US tariffs are not a worry and why he sees more growth from diabetes and obesity treatments such as Ozempic.

Would you want to know if you were at risk of a disease? Why or why not?

How early would you like to know if you were prone to a disease, and have you ever experienced issues with a diagnosis? Tell us about your story.

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Aug 25, 2025

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Healthcare innovation

Switzerland charts new course on gender medicine despite headwinds

This content was published on Oct 23, 2025 Gender medicine is fighting to go mainstream, but funding gaps and political pushback are making it very hard.

Patent battle in India tests Roche’s grip on rare disease market

This content was published on Oct 16, 2025 What’s behind the patent battle between an Indian generic maker and Roche over a rare disease drug?

Tim Hanley at his dairy farm in western Ireland, near a Nestlé factory to which he provided milk for infant formula sold in China.

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

This content was published on Oct 15, 2025 China’s baby boom enriched a small Irish town where a Nestlé factory made formula for Chinese newborns. Then a baby bust unraveled it all. Or so it seemed.

How private equity oversees the ethics of drug research

This content was published on Oct 7, 2025 Many drug trials are vetted by companies with ties to the drugmakers, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and patient safety.

How a clash with Roche exposed cracks in Swiss drug pricing system

This content was published on Sep 19, 2025 Switzerland’s new process to speed up patient access to the latest drugs hit its first major hurdle in a clash with Roche.

The high stakes fight over drug prices

This content was published on Sep 19, 2025 Global drug pricing disputes are intensifying as pharma firms and regulators clash over how much a medicine is worth.

How Novartis got ahead on ‘incredible’ cancer breakthrough

This content was published on Sep 2, 2025 The Swiss pharma group has become a pioneer in a new type of targeted radiotherapy.

Would you want to know if you were at risk of a disease? Why or why not?

How early would you like to know if you were prone to a disease, and have you ever experienced issues with a diagnosis? Tell us about your story.

Join the discussion

Aug 25, 2025

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A medical personnel helps a patient in a CT scanner, used for diagnosis.

When diagnosing a disease does more harm than good

This content was published on Aug 25, 2025 Switzerland has the highest number of MRI scanners per person in Europe. But more screening doesn’t always lead to better health outcomes.

Dealing with vaccine hesitancy in the age of misinformation – lessons from Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 12, 2025 In Switzerland, complementary and alternative medicine is key to addressing vaccine hesitancy.

A nurse organises samples at the Tengani health center in the Nsanje district of Southern Malawi on November 25, 2014 where Riders for Health's biker Mathias Semba will collect blood samples to be delivered over a hundred kilometres away in Thiolo before being tested at a viral load lab.

Can AI bridge the access to healthcare gap in sub-Saharan Africa?

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 A Swiss-led initiative could be a game changer in helping health-workers in remote areas access medical knowledge.

Swiss inaction threatens global antibiotic development push

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 Switzerland risks stalling global antibiotic innovation amid rising resistance.

Agribusiness

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

This content was published on Oct 17, 2025 In Switzerland farmers are experimenting with new crops that can withstand heat and drought. But the transition has its challenges.

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

This content was published on Sep 26, 2025 Record prices of cocoa beans have boosted the development and adoption of cheaper replacement options that provide the same chocolate taste for less.

The meltdown at Nestlé

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.

What matters most in your choice of meat products and why?

Certain American farming practices are banned in other countries: cattle are treated with growth-promoting hormones, for example. Would this put you off from buying American produce or is price the key factor?

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Sep 16, 2025

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Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?

Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO

This content was published on Sep 4, 2025 Laurent Freixe was removed from the top job at Nestlé because of an “undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate”. It was the company’s anonymous reporting platform Speak Up that first raised the alarm.

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

This content was published on Sep 3, 2025 Food firms are counting on Gen Z to grow their profits and are exploiting their sweet tooth and penchant for social media trends to boost sales.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

family Waser produces "Niederbauer" alpine cheese

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

US consumers will pay price for tariff hike, warns top Swiss trader

This content was published on Jul 26, 2025 Global competition is on the rise and some low value-added activities have already left Switzerland, warns Sébastien Landerretche.

Health Economy

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Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

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Switzerland charts new course on gender medicine despite headwinds

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Patent battle in India tests Roche’s grip on rare disease market

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How Switzerland became liberal on abortion – without noticing

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Swiss drugmakers face mixed fortunes amid Trump’s tariff upheaval

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How private equity oversees the ethics of drug research

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Switzerland Today

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How a clash with Roche exposed cracks in Swiss drug pricing system

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The high stakes fight over drug prices

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Truth or tale: Are US patients subsidising healthcare in Switzerland?

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How Novartis got ahead on ‘incredible’ cancer breakthrough

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Ypsomed CEO: US production to begin in 2027

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Would you want to know if you were at risk of a disease? Why or why not?

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Switzerland charts new course on gender medicine despite headwinds

More

Patent battle in India tests Roche’s grip on rare disease market

More

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

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How private equity oversees the ethics of drug research

More

How a clash with Roche exposed cracks in Swiss drug pricing system

More

The high stakes fight over drug prices

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How Novartis got ahead on ‘incredible’ cancer breakthrough

More

Would you want to know if you were at risk of a disease? Why or why not?

More

When diagnosing a disease does more harm than good

More

Dealing with vaccine hesitancy in the age of misinformation – lessons from Switzerland

More

Can AI bridge the access to healthcare gap in sub-Saharan Africa?

More

Swiss inaction threatens global antibiotic development push

More

Coffee production may be imperiled as forests are destroyed for more crops

More

Sushi rice instead of potatoes? Swiss agriculture adapts to climate change

More

Why a prospering Irish Nestlé factory is closing down

More

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

More

The meltdown at Nestlé

More

What matters most in your choice of meat products and why?

More

Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

More

Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO

More

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

More

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

More

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

More

US consumers will pay price for tariff hike, warns top Swiss trader

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