What does medical progress mean for patients?

Medicine impacts our lives – and saves lives.

New therapies and innovative medicines improve existing treatments and enable new ones that were previously not possible, potentially adding years to patients’ lives.

However, access to innovative medicines in Switzerland has been taking progressively longer since 2016, which has significant consequences for our health.

Innovative therapies that save lives

Research-based pharmaceutical companies continuously develop new therapies for cancer, rare diseases, and other chronic conditions.

Survival rates for cancer are significantly increasing thanks to medical progress. However, how quickly patients gain access to these new therapies determines how much they benefit from medical advancements.

Medicine impacts our lives – but access to it is crucial.

Progress and innovation alone are not enough.
It is crucial whether new medicines reach patients in a timely manner – which is currently only happening with delays.

Patients wait longer for new medicines

It is already a fact that patients today wait longer for new medicines than before, and access is increasingly delayed.

Since 2014, the number of approved but not yet reimbursed medicines has grown sharply, reaching 355 in 2024. Furthermore, for 29 out of 31 products (94%), inclusion in the specialty list took longer than the 60 days stipulated in the regulation.

* If the conditions for processing the application according to Art. 69 para. 4 KVV are met before definitive approval by Swissmedic, the FOPH usually decides within 60 days of definitive approval.

Security of supply is at stake

Global developments threaten stable supply.
Shortages and dependencies are increasing.

Geopolitical dynamics are putting massive pressure on Switzerland as a location and endangering the supply of vital medicines to patients.

All of this has far-reaching consequences for Switzerland's healthcare system.

The situation for patients is clear: access to innovative medicines and new therapies can save lives. Medical progress, innovation, and thus ensuring security of supply are crucial and not to be taken for granted.

The right political and structural decisions are needed now to secure Switzerland’s healthcare system in the long term.

Continue to “What we need now”