Almost 400 medications are currently in short supply in Switzerland. Pharmacists are sounding the alarm.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SRF-RTS/ln
Ibuprofen drugs, the popular heart medication Aspirin Cardio and the asthma spray Ventolin are currently no longer being delivered to Switzerland and the pharmacies are running short on supplies, reported Swiss public television, SRF, on Tuesday.
Hospital pharmacist Enea Martinella said doctors and patients must prepare for the worst-case scenario – switching to a different active ingredient.
But substituting drugs because they are no longer available would have a whole host of negative consequences, Martinella warned in an interview with SRF.
“It would lead to significantly more visits to the doctor and higher costs,” he said. “Record after record is being broken.”
The pharmacists’ national shortage list for which Martinella is responsible currently contains 388 medications that are difficult to obtain.
The federal short-supply list of important painkillers, antibiotics and vaccines is shorter.
Ueli Haudenschild of the Federal Office of Economic Supply said the trend towards a national medication shortage has been ongoing for the past two years.
While the current situation did not represent a peak, it was “problematic that important products are permanently unavailable”, he said.
Of particular concern was the lack of individual active ingredients when it came to antibiotics, which was the case 20 times last year alone, he said.
The reason for the lack of certain ingredients is that they are being manufactured in just a few manufacturing plants in the world.
If a fire or tornado affects those factories, as happened two years ago in China and Puerto Rico, the whole pharmacological industry is affected, said Haudenschild.
More
More
What’s behind Switzerland’s vaccine shortage?
This content was published on
Switzerland is struggling to maintain stocks of 16 key vaccines, forcing doctors to adapt their practices.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
This content was published on
The two cities have beaten Zurich and Bern onto the shortlist to host the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2025, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) said on Friday.
This content was published on
While construction expenditure in Switzerland rose by 0.3% in nominal terms last year, the price-adjusted situation shows a 2.5% decrease, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Another body found in southern Switzerland after June storms
This content was published on
A body was found in the Maggia river in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino on Thursday, police said. It is “likely” to be the sixth victim of devastating storms which hit the region at the end of June.
Swiss helicopter rescue pioneers safe autopilot approach system
This content was published on
Swiss air rescue company Rega has received approval for a new kind of instrument flight system for approaching a hospital.
Algerian to face trial in Switzerland for ties to Islamic State
This content was published on
A 51-year-old Algerian man has been charged by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office for involvement in the banned terrorist group.
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
Opioid painkiller prescriptions surge in Switzerland
This content was published on
Prescription for powerful opioid medication have increased twenty-fold in the last thirty years, a recent study has found.
From drugs to food: delivering sensitive goods safely
This content was published on
Swiss high-tech firm Smart Containers employs sensors and blockchain to ensure the safe delivery of medicines - and now perishable food.
No cannabis for scientific studies, says parliament
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament has rejected a motion to allow the use of cannabis in scientific studies investigating the drug’s effects.
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.
Swiss campaign to make lifesaving drugs affordable
This content was published on
Swiss authorities must act to make lifesaving drugs more affordable by introducing compulsory licensing, says NGO Public Eye.
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.