Health Federal government to be given more powers in the event of drug shortages
The federal government should be able to combat shortages of inexpensive and frequently used medicines more effectively in future. The federal government is proposing a new constitutional article to this end - and is thus taking up a concern of a popular initiative.
20.06.2025, 11:20
SDA
The direct counter-proposal to the "Yes to medical supply security (supply initiative)" initiative focuses on four areas, as the Federal Council announced on Friday. Firstly, the federal government is to monitor the supply situation centrally and actively in future. Secondly, it should be able to take measures if necessary to prevent or remedy supply disruptions.
Thirdly, the Confederation should be able to provide economic incentives, make purchases and manufacture medical goods itself or have them manufactured. And fourthly, international cooperation in this area should be strengthened in a targeted manner.
This constitutional mandate is to be implemented by the federal government in cooperation with the cantons and with the involvement of the private sector, according to the report. The consultation on the new constitutional article will run until October 10. The constitutional article would have to be submitted to the people and cantons in the final instance.
