It launched an “affordable drugs” campaignExternal link to pressure the Swiss Federal Council to introduce compulsory licencing, an instrument which allows cheaper generic medications to be introduced to the market despite the existence of a patent.
Public Eye argues the Swiss government has for too long put the interest of the pharmaceutical industry before the needs of the patients both in Switzerland and abroad.
It accused the authorities of being influenced by the “aggressive lobbying carried out by large Basel-based companies,” which are responsible for sky-rocketing prices.
Introducing compulsory licensing in Switzerland would make the Swiss healthcare system more sustainable, “send a strong signal to the international community and allow access to essential drugs for millions of people”, Public Eye wrote.
The appeal is backed by the Swiss Cancer League, numerous experts in the field and well-known Swiss politicians, such as former Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss.
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Swiss pharma suspected of delaying generic competition
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The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists Novartis and Roche among drug-makers suspected of hindering generic competition.
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Each year, some half a million people die of malaria, many of them children. Switzerland is a world leader in research to combat the disease.
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Links between parliamentarians in Bern and lobby groups have grown by 20% between 2007 and 2015, according to a new study.
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