Espicom's in-depth pharmaceutical market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in pharmaceutical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, pricing/reimbursement, intellectual property, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data for raw materials and finished products and essential industry contacts. Included with the report are 3 free quarterly updated outlook reports, enabling you to keep up to date with market developments for a year. Access to the pharmaceutical market in Switzerland is regulated by Swissmedic, taking over the duties previously undertaken by the IKS (Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines) and the Medical Devices Unit at the Federal Office for Public Health. Although the registration period is approximately seven months, there is provision for ‘fast track' registration in special circumstances. The central feature of the ‘fast track' legislation has been to create a more centralised system of administration, ameliorating the complex and bureaucratic nature of previous regulation. It is no longer possible for individual cantons to grant licenses for medicines.

In recent years the Swiss regulatory authority has made it easier for generic companies to submit bioequivalence data related to a product marketed outside of Switzerland, harmonising Swiss practices with those of the EU. It is not only within the generic market sector that Switzerland is harmonising processes to EU standards but also in the area of patent protection and intellectual property rights. Domestic pharmaceutical production is principally dominated by Novartis and Roche, accounting for approximately 90% of total production. Despite sizeable production facilities, the majority of domestic producers focus their efforts on the export industry, therefore it is claimed that in excess of 80% of the market is supplied by imports.

The government is facing increased pressure by the association of health insurers to reduce drug prices across the board. This is as a result of a recent survey suggesting that Swiss drug prices are, on average, 30% higher than those in Germany. The introduction of a pricing agreement is hoped to remedy many of these grievances. As a result of increased health insurance premiums, patients are making greater use of their physician and are therefore receiving prescribed drugs rather than utilising OTC remedies.