FOPH head: “The federal government has been campaigning for lower costs for years”
Published: Thursday, Sep 26th 2024, 14:50
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Regular review of drug prices, promotion of generics and review of selected medical services: With these measures, the federal government has been working for years to reduce healthcare costs, as FOPH Director Anne Lévy said.
The federal government is working with targeted measures to lower healthcare costs, said Lévy, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), speaking to the media in Bern on Thursday. Drug prices have been reviewed every three years since 2012. In the meantime, it has been possible to save almost 1.5 billion francs.
The promotion of generics and biosimilars will save a further CHF 250 million a year. In addition, the FOPH reviews selected medical services for efficacy, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness with Health Technology Assessments (HTA).
This would result in direct savings of 90 million francs a year. For example, blood glucose monitoring strips, back operations and vitamin D tests would be examined. "Improvements like these are crucial to curbing costs without having to forego necessary treatments," said Lévy.
It is also important to provide the right treatment at the right time and neither too much nor too little. "Both can impair quality of life and jeopardize patient safety." The FOPH has launched a project on this. An analysis should show where there is a need for action.
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