The government is facing opposition from pharmacists against plans to reduce subsidies and cap prices of generic drugs.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
The pharmacists’ association on Monday launched a petition, calling on the government to drop its cost-saving plans and boost basic medical services instead.
The lobby groupExternal link says chronically ill patients and those needing medication at short notice will be hardest hit by the planned cuts. It urges the government to guarantee a “functioning medical basic service of high quality – also in remote regions”.
Last year, Interior Minister Alain Berset presented plans to cut prices of generic drugs which would reduce costs by up to CHF480 million ($480 million). The government also proposed savings to the tune of CHF50 million by cutting subsidies to pharmacists, doctors and hospitals for logistical services.
The pharmacists argue they contributed more than others in the health sector to provide a cost-friendly public service in collaboration with family doctors and the personnel of the care sector.
Initiative launched to cap health insurance premiums
This content was published on
A people’s initiative wants health insurance premiums to not exceed 10% of income with the balance paid for by the state.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
This content was published on
Half of all Swiss over 15 years old now take at least one type of medicine weekly – far more frequently than in the past.
This content was published on
There will be an average drop of almost 20% in the price of 288 medicines from December 1, the Federal Office of Public Health says.
Costs of generic drugs and outpatient services targeted
This content was published on
The government wants to cap prices for generic drugs as part of a package of measures to reduce rising health costs in Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.