The Swiss government has put forward proposals to ensure a secure supply of medicaments for the population. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The proposals form a direct counter-proposal to a popular initiative on the subject. + Five ways Switzerland can tackle drugs shortages Switzerland is faced with periodic shortages of certain products, often affecting cheap medicines and those whose patents have expired or generics. These include painkillers, vaccines and antibiotics. Responsibility for the supply of these medicines lies primarily with the players in the healthcare system. + Why Switzerland is running out of pharmaceuticals At present, the Confederation has no powers in this area. The direct counter-proposal now gives it the power to intervene in a targeted manner in the event of an imminent shortage, and focuses on four areas: monitoring the state of the market, procurement of medicines, economic incentives for production and international cooperation.
