Review of homeopathy is canceled

A spokeswoman for the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) confirmed to the news agency Keystone-SDA that medical homeopathy would remain part of basic insurance. Re-examining homeopathy with regard to the criteria of efficacy, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness is "associated with a high expenditure of time and money."

Another reason cited by the FOPH was the 2009 referendum in which the population decided to reinstate homeopathy in the benefits catalog of basic insurance.

Yvonne Gilli, President of the Swiss Medical Association (FMH), said on the "Echo der Zeit" radio program on Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) on Monday evening that homeopathy was the complementary medicine method most in demand among the population. The FMH is pleased that Baume-Schneider's department has decided in favor of homeopathy.

Causes only marginal costs

According to the FOPH, around a third of Swiss citizens receive complementary medical services every year. These cost around 18 million francs. Measured against the total costs of compulsory health insurance, their share is "marginal" at around 0.04 percent.

As the Tamedia newspapers reported, the FOPH's arguments are "anything but new". This raises the question of "why the procedure was started at all".

The investigation was initiated by a retiree known to Tamedia. In October 2023, he had submitted a request to review whether homeopathy should be covered by health insurance. The FOPH then launched a so-called controversy investigation, Tamedia wrote.