An internal investigation has been launched into the Swiss army pharmacy’s purchases of masks, including some 700,000 of poor quality according to some Swiss media reports.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Tamdia/NZZ/jdp
Earlier this week, an army spokesperson confirmedExternal link to Swiss news agency Tamedia that Viola Amherd, who heads the department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport, commissioned the internal audit department to look into the army’s procurement of essential medical goods during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This comes amid criticism based on a TamediaExternal link report that the army pharmacy bought 700,000 FFP2 masks – which are supposed to have higher level protection than simple hygiene masks. According to the Tamedia story, some masks turned out to be poor quality and had to be destroyed.
The army pharmacy bought them from a company called Emix run by two young entrepreneurs who had bought the masks from a company called Chemipharm. Thanks to contacts in China, Emix shifted its business from selling cosmetic products to importing protective gear when the pandemic hit early last year.
Switzerland was one of many countries in Europe that purchased masks from Emix.
The entrepreneurs behind the company are in the spotlight because they’ bought luxury cars after the deal.
In April, the federal government eased import conditions for personal protective equipment in response to the pandemic. Importers of respiratory protection masks also benefited from the simplified testing. The Spiez laboratory had also become involved in testing some of the masks in a rush to make them available.
The German-language paper NZZamSonntagExternal link also noted that there are some discrepancies in reports about the quality tests. The Emix entrepeneurs deny selling defective masks.
The army pharmacy has procured about 300 million protective masks on behalf of the federal government since the pandemic began. The results of the internal investigation are expected this spring.
This story has been updated with some corrections as the price and quality of the masks are subject to dispute.
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 federal office sees no reason to end deportations of asylum-seekers to Croatia
This content was published on
Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) continues to deport asylum-seekers to Croatia. It thus rejects a demand from the Swiss Refugee Council in mid-February, which called for a halt to the returns.
ChatGPT responds to negative emotions and therapy, research shows
This content was published on
Stressful information can also cause anxiety in artificial intelligence (AI). As scientists in Zurich have shown, it's even possible to calm the GPT-4 AI model with mindfulness exercises.
Mortgage benchmark fall paves way for potential rent cuts in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland’s national benchmark for mortgage costs dropped to the level it had before the global inflation surge, paving the way for potential rent reductions.
Switzerland ‘deeply concerned’ by Trump’s death penalty order
This content was published on
Switzerland has told the UN Human Rights Council that it is "deeply concerned" by US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to strengthen capital punishment at federal and state level.
Blatter, Platini return to court for new fraud trial over CHF2 million FIFA payment
This content was published on
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini appeared in court in Switzerland on Monday accused of fraud - 2.5 years after they were cleared.
Israel criticises Swiss decision to host Middle East conference in Geneva on Friday
This content was published on
Israel has condemned Switzerland for planning to host a meeting on international humanitarian law in the Middle East next Friday in Geneva.
Centre Party’s Franziska Biner elected to Valais government
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland elected Franziska Biner to the cantonal government in the first round of voting, beating off more established politicians.
Enough masks in stock for Swiss population until end of 2020
This content was published on
Even if masks become mandatory in indoor public spaces nationwide, as media reports suggest, supply bottlenecks are unlikely.
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.