Many medicines are too expensive in Switzerland, almost everyone agrees. But Mepha, one of the leaders of the generic market in Switzerland with Sandoz, does not consider itself concerned in any case. According to the company, some generic drugs are, on the contrary, far too cheap. “The price reductions regularly ordered by the authorities have resulted in, among other things, Mepha's antibiotics and analgesics or its generics for the treatment of cancer having to be offered at a price sometimes lower than that of a pack of chewing gum. », Annoyed the company on Friday.
And this would be a problem, because manufacturers no longer always have an interest in marketing these products, which have become unprofitable, which can cause shortages or force patients to pay for non-generic, and therefore more expensive, products. Mepha was not spared by the OFSP's latest price cuts at the end of October. Half of its 50 products screened this season saw a reduction imposed, specifies Mepha.
The OFSP, for its part, had rightly indicated that it had granted exceptions for drugs at risk of shortage. But, “due to official secrecy”, he does not communicate further. Mepha doesn't hesitate. “This year we asked the FOPH to waive a price reduction for 15 preparations,” says its spokesperson Christoph Herzog. Of the four that the Confederation has already decided, one has been granted and three refused, “in particular for our ASS-Cardio-Mepha product, where we must undergo a price reduction of 2%, at a factory selling price of 2.15 francs…”, he regrets.
What he criticizes “is that the increase in production and distribution costs in recent years is not taken into account by the OFSP”. For its part, the office recalls that its regular review allows savings in health costs. “Based on the reductions decided for December 1, the OFSP is counting on savings of at least 90 million francs,” he recalls.
Not just the price that counts
“The distribution of medicines is much more expensive in Switzerland than in many comparable EU countries. This is why prices that are too low lead to supply disruptions,” notes Christoph Hertzog. The OFSP recognizes the problem but notes that price is not the only cause. “Prices in Switzerland are often not the main reason for the withdrawal of medicines from the market. It is often international decisions and availability, as well as the drop in demand that play a more important role,” notes spokesperson Stéphanie Germanier. We can also mention the Ozempic slimming product: it is expensive, profitable for the company, but not always available due to high demand.
