The American administration’s new policy of lowering drug prices is causing concern in Switzerland, as pharmaceutical companies may require rising prices in other markets to compensate for potential US losses.
According to a research study by the Federal Institute of Technology in zurich ( ETH) and the University of Zurich, if Switzerland and other countries accept this pressure, Swiss citizens may face hundreds of millions of additional spending annually through health insurance supplies.
The U.S. government intends that the prices of drugs in the United States will be compared to those of other developed countries, through the system known as Most-Fuvied Nation. In this model, American prices are compared to those of a group of reference states, including Switzerland.
This creates new pressure on pharmaceutical companies, as higher prices in reference countries can also affect prices levels on the American market, writes SRFTelevision broadcast.
For Swiss pharmaceutical giants such as Roche and Novatitis, the US price cut, which is one of the most important markets for industry, means an income risk. For this reason, companies are demanding that other countries accept higher prices for new and innovative drugs.
The study co-chairman, Kerstin Wockinger, warns that Switzerland should consider carefully how it will respond to American pressure.
According to her, there is the danger of countries entering a price – raising race, fearing that pharmaceutical companies could otherwise delay or not bring new drugs to their markets at all.
On the other hand, the director of the Interpharma pharmaceutical industry organisation René Buholzer argues companies should adapt to the new reality of the international market.
According to him, if prices in Switzerland influence the definition of American prices, companies may also be forced to increase them on the Swiss market.
However, the Federal Public Health Office in Switzerland warns that it is still uncertain whether American price models will be implemented long term. For this reason, authorities consider the overall increase in drug prices wrong without much clarity on the effects of new American politics.
The study also raises concerns about the access of patients to innovative drugs. According to an Interpharma poll, seven of the 22 new innovation drugs thrown into the market from January 2025 to June 2026 have not been submitted to include in the list of drugs being repaid by mandatory health insurance in Switzerland. Companies have cited concerns concerning American price policy.
Experts recommend that Switzerland co-operate with other states to find a common solution so that American pressure does not end with increasing costs for European and Swiss patients, while the main benefits remain in pharmaceutical companies./Telegraphy/
