New platform of therapeutic products
Future-proof IT solution for an early warning system in the supply of essential medicines.
Background
Switzerland is increasingly facing challenges in securing supplies of essential human medicines. Difficulties in global supply chains and changes in the market have exacerbated national and international supply shortages. In the 2022 report on the supply situation, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Swissmedic, the Armed Forces Pharmacy and the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) analysed the situation and formulated measures to improve the way in which shortages are monitored.
The existing reporting platform, which has been in operation since 2015, can no longer cope efficiently with the increasing requirements and has reached end of life.
Mandate and implementation
In January 2024, the Federal Council decided to implement the proposal for a new Platform of therapeutic products which emerged from a study conducted by the FONES. As a semi-automated and scalable long-term solution, the new platform will improve the efficiency and transparency of what are currently mostly manual processes in the therapeutic products sector. It will be modular and expandable in such a way that further therapeutic product groups can be integrated as required.
The Platform of therapeutic products will be developed using the HERMES 2022 project methodology as a module in the New Generation Information and Deployment System (IES NG).
Project objectives
The project "Platform of therapeutic products" pursues the following objectives:
- Replace the current reporting platform with a modern monitoring platform that utilises synergies and links all stakeholders through standardised data connections;
- Increase the efficiency of the reporting office and the authorities by providing a broader database in order to ensure the quality of decisions despite increasing complexity;
- Replace reactive reporting behaviour by proactive monitoring in order to stabilise supply for healthcare organisations and patients.
Project schedule
The overall schedule for IES NG and further information on the project can be found on the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) website (de, fr, it).
The key TPP project milestones are:
- June–October 2023: Study drawn up with the involvement of industry associations and subsequent office consultation
- January 2024: Federal Council decision and project launch
- Q3/4 2024: Minimum marketable product (MMP) developed
- Q1 2025: Pilot run with selected industry partners to optimise the new solution with the broadest possible feedback
- 1 July 2025: TPP go-live in expansion stage 1
- 2026/27: Gradual expansion of the new platform
Training for users
To ensure the smooth introduction of the new platform, short training courses will be held and documentation made available for users. You can find training materials for the platform here.
Details will be sent directly to the persons concerned.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact the TPP project team: heilmittelplattform@bwl.admin.ch