A panel of experts recommended to stop the sale of big packages of medicines if the original packs are no longer available, according to the Federal Office for National Economic Supply.
The move is aimed at reducing a waste of drugs and allow products to be sold to more patients during the current supply disruption, it said on Wednesday.
However, patients must continue to receive the amount of medication necessary for a successful therapy. And they must continue to be given the original package insert, the experts said.
The latest measure is limited in time and will only be maintained until the supply situation for the active substances concerned has stabilised.
Short-term
Pharmacist Enea Martinelli described the recommendation as a short-term measure that can only bring partial relief. Martinelli has repeatedly warned of supply bottlenecks over the past few years.
Also on Wednesday, the Federal Office of Public Health announced a series of measures to relieve the supply shortage, notably the reimbursement by health insurers for certain medicines produced by pharmacies.
The office said it has suspended plans to lower prices for vital and inexpensive medicines such as antibiotics “in justified cases” and increase prices instead.
More
More
Why Switzerland is running out of pharmaceuticals
This content was published on
How can a country that supplies the world with so much medicine face shortages at home?
In February, the Swiss government decided to free up compulsory stocks of oral antibiotics as of March 1 in response to an acute shortage of some drugs.
The Federal Office for National Economic Supply has been increasingly struggling to remedy supply disruptions by authorising temporary partial release of compulsory stocks.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss company supplies Serbia with surveillance technology
This content was published on
A Swiss company has supplied the Serbian government with a geolocation and eavesdropping system, the SonntagsBlick reported on Sunday.
This content was published on
A committee of Switzerland’s House of Representatives has found the people’s initiative to limit fireworks too extreme, but has suggested a counter-proposal.
UN investigators report evidence of crimes in Syria and call for national dialogue
This content was published on
UN investigators in Geneva report ample evidence of crimes in Syria and urge the regime to follow through on its promise of a national dialogue.
Swiss Trade Union warns EU deal could threaten wages
This content was published on
The Swiss Trade Union Federation warns that the new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU could threaten wage protection and public services.
Credit Suisse fines from Mozambique scandal to fund victims’ compensation
This content was published on
The fines imposed on Credit Suisse for the Mozambique scandal will be allocated to a fund for the victims, amounting to $105.5 million.
Switzerland takes more steps to relieve antibiotics shortage
This content was published on
The Swiss government is to free up compulsory stocks of oral antibiotics as of March 1, in response to an acute shortage of some drugs.
Faced with shortages, Switzerland plans to boost drug stocks
This content was published on
Faced with the current shortage of medicines, Bern wants to extend mandatory reserves of drugs and the obligation to declare stocks.
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.