Supply problems have worsened even further over the past weeks, and are now also having an impact on outpatient services, the government said on Wednesday.
This differentiates the current shortages from those seen in previous years, which mostly hit hospitals; this time, medicines taken orally – for example the painkillers paracetamol and ibuprofen, especially in syrup form for children – are affected.
Pharmacies already voiced fears of shortages some months ago.
Methadone tablets are also scarce at the moment, due to a licencing spat involving Swiss drugs regulator Swissmedic and an important drugs producer.
The taskforce will concentrate mainly on short-term measures to ease the situation quickly, the authorities said. In the longer term, the goal is to be able to detect supply bottlenecks further in advance and regulate the market accordingly.
The current global shortage of antibiotics has been driven by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns in China, the government said. The strong wave of flu-like infections in Switzerland in recent weeks hasn’t helped either.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
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St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
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The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
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As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
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A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
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The end of affordable medicine
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Pharma companies are close to a cure for cancer, but will the hefty price tags make treatments unaffordable for most of the world?
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Half of all Swiss over 15 years old now take at least one type of medicine weekly – far more frequently than in the past.
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Cases of opioid poisoning have almost tripled in Switzerland over the past 20 years, although the full extent of the situation is unclear.
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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.