The federal government orders lower prices for 350 medications

The federal government has ordered lower prices on 350 medications. On average, these medicines are ten percent cheaper. This should result in savings of an estimated 120 million francs.

The medicines assessed this year come from the areas of gastroenterology, hormone therapy and oncology, among others, the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) wrote on Thursday. The price reductions apply from December 1.

Price reductions were ordered for approximately 60 percent of the checked original preparations, the BAG wrote. For the remaining 40 percent, this was not necessary because their price was favorable compared to the reference countries and other medicines.

However, according to the BAG, there are still objections from the approval holders to individual orders – whether the price can be reduced is therefore still an open question. Co-marketing drugs, generics and biosimilars were also examined. As with the original preparations, a price reduction of 60 percent was indicated.

The 2022 audit round has finally been completed: it has resulted in savings of 80 million francs. According to BAG, this is 20 million francs more than was estimated a year ago.

Every year, the BAG checks one third of the medicines covered by basic insurance for effectiveness, usefulness and economy. Only under this condition will health insurers reimburse the costs. Prices are also examined accordingly.

A third of the medicines are checked every year; a cycle lasts three years. This year a new cycle began. In the last two cycles, starting in 2017 and 2020, price revisions have led to savings totaling 740 million francs in favor of basic insurance.

(jam/sda)