An analysis by Baden Cantonal Hospital showed that prescriptions of opioids rose by 91.4% when it came to treating light injuries and by 88.3% for serious injuries.
The study involved data relating to some two million patients suffering from fractures, bruising, sprains or minor injuries over the ten-year period.
The researchers say the increase is especially worrying since opioids are not necessarily more effective than other painkillers in treating locomotive pain after an accident, and they can come with problematic side-effects. These include cognitive troubles, nausea, hypersensitivity and the risk of addiction.
The study is not the first to show the dramatic increase in opioid usage in Switzerland – others have shown that the country is in the top four globally for prescriptions. However, the researchers say their discovery of the extent of opioid use in treating minor injuries is a new development.
Researchers from the University of Bern, Inselspital Bern, Bern’s University of Applied Sciences, and the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA) were also involved in the study, which was published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’
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 diocese introduces code of conduct to tackle church abuse
This content was published on
The Diocese of Sion has introduced a code of conduct to tackle all forms of church-related abuse. A prevention commission has also been established.
Women are the victims of most domestic shootings in Switzerland
This content was published on
Between 2015 and 2022, only one of the 41 perpetrators of domestic gun homicides was female. The vast majority of these cases were femicides.
Swiss army to invest in military equipment and decommission Patrouille Suisse jets
This content was published on
The Swiss army is set to spend CHF1.5 billion on new armaments. The 2025 Armed Forces Dispatch also plans to decommission the current Patrouille Suisse.
Geneva report urges ICJ action against Nicaragua for ‘repression’
This content was published on
International investigators in Geneva have accused Nicaragua's regime of possible crimes against humanity, urging the country be brought before the ICJ.
Swiss defence ministry files criminal complaint over resignation leaks
This content was published on
The Swiss defence ministry has filed a criminal complaint after leaks about the resignations of the army and intelligence chiefs.
WHO’s global lab network faces collapse without new funding
This content was published on
As measles cases surge in Texas, Geneva-based WHO warns its largest global laboratory network is on the brink of collapse unless new funding is secured.
Charges dropped in Geneva parcel bomb investigation
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) is looking to drop the case against two brothers linked to the Geneva parcel bomb incidents.
German and Swiss men arrested in Zurich cocaine raid
This content was published on
Swiss police seized four kilos of cocaine and over CHF100,000 in cash from two suspected drug dealers in Schlieren, near Zurich.
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 abuse on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
Cases of opioid poisoning have almost tripled in Switzerland over the past 20 years, although the full extent of the situation is unclear.
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.