The supply security for pharmaceuticals and other essential medical goods in Switzerland is primarily driven by market forces, with the federal government, the cantons, and private actors each assuming different responsibilities and obligations. In recent years, however, supply shortages for certain pharmaceuticals appear to have increased significantly. Against this backdrop, the popular initiative “Yes to Medical Supply Security (Ja zur medizinischen Versorgungssicherheit)” was submitted, which aims to grant the federal government expanded powers to strengthen supply security. The Federal Council acknowledges the need for action but considers a more targeted approach to be appropriate and is presenting a direct counter-proposal to the initiative that focuses on specific measures to improve supply security.

Swiss Economics is conducting a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) on behalf of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) regarding the economic impacts of the popular initiative “Yes to Medical Supply Security (Ja zur medizinischen Versorgungssicherheit)” as well as the Federal Council’s direct counter-proposal. The economic impacts of both proposals on affected stakeholders and on the economy as a whole are being analyzed. In addition, a catalog of measures based on the two proposals was developed, and its effectiveness was examined for various degrees of severity of emerging healthcare security issues.

• Regulatory Impact Assessment after the manual of SECO
• Literature analysis
• Interviews