Pharmacy refuses to take back cancer drugs: 8,800 francs ends up in the trash

Jasmine Helbling

Christian Michel has lung cancer. A situation that must be combated as early as possible. So the doctor prescribes Lumykras. The drug is intended to slow, or at best even stop, the growth of the tumor. The 73-year-old from Thurgau has to take eight tablets every day. Costs: 8,800 francs per month. The fifth month of treatment starts in mid-January. Irene Michel drives for her husband to the nearest pharmacy and picks up the ordered package. So far so normal. But bad news awaits her at home: “The doctor told us on the phone that the metastases had continued to grow. The cancer cells did not respond to Lumykras.” Christian Michel must stop taking the medication and start chemotherapy.

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His wife responds immediately. ‘I called the pharmacy. It had only been an hour and the package was still in the plastic bag.”

This makes no difference to the pharmacy. They say that in general you shouldn’t take back medications other than throwing them away. This is also stated in the guidelines of the Swiss Cantonal Pharmacists Association. Returns are only permitted if the packaging is intact and proper storage is documented. The second condition is rarely met.

“Once a medicine leaves the pharmacy, the pharmacy can no longer assume responsibility for storage and hygiene,” explains the Swiss Pharmacists’ Association Pharmasuisse. The risk of resale is too great: “If someone develops serious complications after taking it, the pharmacy is liable.”

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In addition, expensive medicines are often ordered for the specific patient. If they cannot be sold to other patients before the expiration date, the pharmacy must bear the costs. Michel’s case is unfortunate, but an exception.

8,800 francs per tonne. “For just an hour, an expensive medicine that a sick person might need is thrown away. Our health insurer pays, but healthcare costs are constantly rising,” says Irene Michel. It is clear to them: a change in the law would be necessary.