Measures
The Therapeutic Products Division takes proactive measures to prevent bottlenecks and disruptions to essential medicine supplies or, at the very least, mitigate their impact on healthcare delivery for the people of Switzerland.
Human pharmaceuticals
Compulsory stocks serve as a buffer to provide essential goods during shortages, playing a key role in the NES organisation. While the private companies holding these stocks retain ownership and responsibility, the federal government oversees the process. Compulsory stocks can generally cover two to four months of market demand, depending on the medicine.
The organisation of pharmaceutical stockpiles is governed by a federal ordinance, as with all categories of goods subject to compulsory stockpiling. The number of stockpiled active substances was increased by five to a total of 136 in January 2026.
When supply chains are disrupted, compulsory stocks can generally be released within one to two weeks upon application by the marketing authorisation holder (private-sector company), helping to maintain security of supply.
For further information, see the topic Strategic stockpiling
In response to worsening supply issues, a special taskforce was established for several months in early 2023. Led by the Delegate for National Economic Supply and drawing on wide-ranging expertise from business and both cantonal and federal government, the taskforce focused on quick-impact measures. One key recommendation was to dispense certain active ingredients in partial quantities where feasible, helping to stretch supplies. The taskforce also developed medium- and long-term solutions, which have already been integrated into existing projects.
Veterinary medicinal products
Veterinary medicines are also increasingly prone to supply shortages. Here too, compulsory stockpiling provides a buffer for up to two months. Currently, only antibiotics are subject to this stockpiling obligation (Ordinance on the Compulsory Stockpiling of Pharmaceuticals; SR 531.215.31).
Compulsory stockpiling helps to ensure Switzerland can meet its obligations under the Animal Welfare Act (AniWA), although only to a limited degree as only antibiotics are stockpiled.
Practical information on the release of compulsory stocks
If there is a shortage of a veterinary medicinal product stockpiled under the Ordinance on the Compulsory Stockpiling of Pharmaceuticals, holders of compulsory stocks can apply for it to be released using the ‹Application for the release of compulsory of stocks (veterinary medicinal products)› form. For queries about veterinary medicinal products, contact kontakt-vet@bwl.admin.ch.