Generic drugs remain twice as expensive in Switzerland
Drug prices in Switzerland remain higher than in other major European markets, especially when it comes to generic drugs, which are twice as expensive in Switzerland as elsewhere.
According to figures published Tuesday by the Swiss pharma industry association InterpharmaExternal link and the umbrella group for health insurers SantéSuisseExternal link, the difference in the price of patented drugs in Switzerland compared to elsewhere is 7%, down from 9% last year.
This is thanks in part to more favourable exchange rates, as well as regular price controls by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), according to the groups. The savings due to lower prices are estimated to be some CHF325 million ($323 million).
However, it’s a different story for generic drugs, which are twice as expensive in Switzerland than in similar markets. The Swiss also tend to buy less generics, which represent 23% of volume and 18% of sales. In the United Kingdom, as a comparison, generics represent 85% of volume and 38% of sales.
For example, in Switzerland a pack of the patented painkiller Dafalgan costs CHF6.95 more than the generic version Paracetamol. Despite the potential savings, Dafalgan remains more popular: 900,000 packages were sold last year for a total of CHF23.1 million, compared to only 65,000 packs of Paracetamol sold at CHF1.2 million.
Despite the discrepancies, buying generics still represent savings compared to patented versions, SantéSuisse says.
This is the tenth edition of the report, which compares prices for 250 of the best-selling drugs in Switzerland to those in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
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.
Read more
More
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.
This content was published on
Switzerland could save millions of francs by prescribing low-priced biotech drug copies, known as biosimilars, instead of expensive biologicals.
Swiss bend rules to provide patients with affordable treatment
This content was published on
Despite being a global hub for pharma companies, Switzerland is going to extraordinary lengths to source cheap generic drugs for Hepatitis C patients.
Generic drugs in Switzerland cost twice as much as in Europe
This content was published on
The price of generic drugs in Switzerland in 2017 was 52% higher than the average of nine other European countries, says a study.
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.