Further information

On this page, you will find publications, FAQs and links relating to the Therapeutic products division.

Publications

Ordinances

The ordinances concerning the Therapeutic products division are available as links in German, French and Italian.

Reports on the supply risk by subject area

The reports on the supply risk by subject area are available in German and French.

Training materials for Platform of Therapeutic Products

• User Settings

  • Deactivate a User

    PDF1.46 MB1 July 2025

  • Creating a New User

    PDF1.15 MB1 July 2025

  • Edit an Existing User

    PDF1.37 MB1 July 2025

  • Update First and Last Name

    PDF1.21 MB1 July 2025

  • Organization, Roles and Permissions

    PDF113.40 kB1 July 2025

• Creating Issues

  • Creating a Disruption Report

    PDF1.57 MB1 July 2025

  • How To Cancel A Disruption Report and a Market Withdrawal

    PDF1.58 MB1 July 2025

  • Create Mandatory Stock Request

    PDF1.66 MB1 July 2025

• User Interface & System Navigation

  • Interface

    PDF5.04 MB1 July 2025

  • Switch between System Roles

    PDF1.00 MB27 June 2025

  • Configuring Notification Settings

    PDF2.00 MB1 July 2025

  • Rename or Delete Saved Filters

    PDF1.49 MB1 July 2025

  • Define the Sorting Order of Issues

    PDF941.67 kB1 July 2025

  • Add or Hide Columns of the Issues

    PDF1.41 MB1 July 2025

  • How to Filter Issues and Save Your Custom Filters

    PDF2.01 MB1 July 2025

  • How to Change Language

    PDF1.08 MB1 July 2025

  • Kanban Board

    PDF3.82 MB14 November 2025

  • Inbox

    PDF1.06 MB14 November 2025

  • Timeline

    PDF3.55 MB14 November 2025

• AGOV

  • AGOV Registration

    PDF4.94 MB1 July 2025

FAQs

• What does the Reporting Office do?

  It provides a form for companies to report supply shortages or disruptions. Based on these reports and market enquiries, it assesses the supply situation and takes appropriate measures to secure supply when necessary.

• Has there been any change in the number of supply disruptions of essential pharmaceuticals and vaccines?

  There has been a steady increase in recent years. 2023 saw over 280 reported disruptions, with a record 217 requests approved to release medicines from compulsory stocks. The situation is further complicated by market withdrawals and shortages of antibiotics due to high infection rates and active ingredient shortages.

• Why can Switzerland's pharmaceutical industry not cover the country's basic needs?

  The Swiss pharmaceutical industry focuses primarily on innovative medicines and research. Basic supply is also affected by shortages of off-patent active ingredients due to economic factors like concentrated production, low inventories, regulatory issues, corporate decisions, and quality concerns. Off-patent products are often unprofitable and withdrawn from the market. Switzerland's small market size also leads to lower margins and potential monopolies, increasing supply risk.

• Why does the National Economic Supply organisation only list essential medicines?

  This is in keeping with the National Economic Supply Act (NESA; SR 531), which outlines measures to secure essential goods and services during severe shortages that the economy cannot address alone (Art. 1 NESA). The reportable essential medicinal products are listed in the Ordinance on the Reporting Office for Essential Human Pharmaceuticals.

• Who is responsible for ensuring essential therapeutic product supply?

  In Switzerland, the private sector takes primary responsibility for this (Art. 1 TPA). During severe shortages that the private sector cannot resolve, the federal government and, if necessary, the cantons step in (Art. 3 para. 2 TPA). The federal government has limited health policy powers (Art. 118 para. 2 Federal Constitution), while the cantons are primarily responsible for healthcare, especially hospitals.

• How is the federal government addressing medicinal product shortages, and how can the supply situation be improved in the longer term?

  Suppliers of reportable pharmaceuticals are required to notify the Reporting Office of shortages or disruptions. The list of reportable active ingredients is revised regularly. This system helps the NES to identify shortages early and, if needed, release compulsory stocks.

• How does the federal government intervene during shortages?

  Since October 2015, the National Economic Supply organisation (NES) has operated a Reporting Office for supply disruptions of essential active ingredients. When shortages occur, the NES typically publishes recommendations, identifies potential substitutes and checks their availability.

  In human medicine, compulsory stocks are maintained for certain medicines (e.g. antibiotics, fungicides, antivirals and oncology drugs), painkillers (analgesics and opiates), vaccines and other critical active ingredients. These stocks have helped prevent or alleviate many supply shortages in recent years. The NES regularly reviews and updates the list of products to be stockpiled on behalf of the federal government.

  For animal health, Switzerland maintains compulsory stocks of antibiotic veterinary medicinal products to cover two months of normal requirements.

Links

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

Federal Food Security and Veterinary Office FSVO

Swissmedic

Helvecura (in German and French)

Swiss Medical Association FMH (in German, French and Italian)

Swiss Association of Public Health Administration and Hospital Pharmacists GSASA (in German and French)

drugshortage.ch - Overview of medicine shortages in Switzerland (in German, French and Italian)