What does medicine mean for Switzerland?
Medicine drives our lives – economically more than any other industry.
The pharmaceutical industry is a key pillar of the Swiss economy. It drives innovation, secures jobs, and makes a significant contribution to Switzerland’s prosperity.
With a strong pharmaceutical industry, Switzerland safeguards not only its economic engine, but also its role as an innovation leader.
However, under the current framework conditions, less is being invested in Switzerland as a pharmaceutical location, putting jobs at risk and slowing growth.
Contribution to value creation
Pharmaceutical companies are a key economic factor for Switzerland.
Interpharma’s 23 member companies generate CHF 4.4 billion in revenue in Switzerland – and already contribute more through taxes and levies (CHF 5 billion) than they receive via the healthcare system. In addition, the companies invest CHF 9 billion annually in research & development, thereby securing jobs and Switzerland’s position as an innovation hub. Overall, for every franc of revenue, around CHF 3.20 flows back in taxes and investments – a net benefit of almost CHF 10 billion per year for Switzerland as a business location.
Contribution to employment
The pharmaceutical industry secures jobs far beyond its own sector.
In 2022, the pharmaceutical industry employed around 50,600 people in Switzerland. In its activities, the industry sources intermediate inputs such as machinery, chemical substances, cleaning and security staff, insurance services, or energy, thereby creating an additional roughly 250,200 jobs for people in other sectors.
Switzerland’s strength as a business location is not a given.
Without the right framework conditions, Switzerland will lose its innovative strength – and with it its economic strength.