Popular initiative for better medical care launched

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The initiators write in a statement that basic care medicines such as antibiotics are almost exclusively manufactured in Asian countries such as India and China. In recent years it has also become apparent that these companies are not reliable suppliers, even in normal times.

According to the initiators, about 1,000 medicines are currently missing in Switzerland. They see the main reason in the years of enormous price pressure on medicines and other medical goods, as a result of which they are no longer produced in Switzerland or other European countries. Urgent action is therefore required, otherwise the health of the population would be endangered.

Three important requirements

The citizens’ initiative consists of three main demands. First, by creating good framework conditions for innovative research and development of medicines and other medical goods in the country, the federal government makes Switzerland more attractive as a business location and promotes domestic production. Control also needs to be improved in the field of warehousing in order to prevent supply bottlenecks.

In addition, the supply of important medicines and goods should be improved by creating a “federal authority” instead of 26 cantonal responsibilities. Because at least since the corona pandemic, it has been clear that federalism has reached its limits when it comes to security of supply.

Reliable supply chains must be created as the third pillar of better supply. The supply should be based on reliable foreign manufacturers. Collaboration between politics, administration, industry and healthcare service providers is essential for this.

Collection of signatures from April 4

Behind the referendum are 16 associations and organizations from the medical profession, pharmacists, chemists, laboratory medicine, organizations in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical logistics, consumer protection organizations and researchers.

Signature collection will begin April 4 in more than 3,000 pharmacies, drugstores, medical practices and healthcare companies. (SDA)

Source:Blick