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Mr. Price noted the excessive nature of the prices charged in Switzerland for the 20 active substances whose patent has expired and which generate a significant turnover. The cheapest generics cost twice as much as in the 15 comparison countries.
Original medicines whose patents have expired cost on average only 62% of the Swiss price in the comparison countries, writes Price Monitor Stefan Meierhaus in his newsletter published on Tuesday.
The cheapest generic was available abroad for 39% of the Swiss price, or 61% less. Even in Spain, the most expensive comparison country, the cheapest generic cost 27% less. In the United Kingdom, we paid on average only 16% of the Swiss price.
Mr. Price concludes from his comparison of this year’s prices and “clearly overvalued prices” that there is still considerable savings potential in the health sector. The results are similar to its price comparisons from previous years and the latest one, which is from 2021.
At the same time, it turns out that the measures taken so far are not enough. He therefore calls for a new price formation mechanism based on a comparison with prices charged abroad, especially for generics and biosimilars.
Added to this is a mandatory tax on generics, the promotion of generics by removing obstacles to marketing authorization as well as the prescription of active substances. Mr. Meierhans also wants to abolish the principle of territoriality, which would mean that basic insurance would pay for prescription drugs purchased abroad if they are cheaper there.
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