The latest Helsana Drug Report shows that medication costs with basic insurance rose again in 2023 and now make up the biggest cost block in basic insurance for the first time. This year’s report also examines the use of JAK inhibitors and the impact of safety warnings on their use, as well as progress in targeted therapies and immunotherapies for lung cancer.
Helsana has been analysing the pharmaceutical market in Switzerland for 11 years. Despite regular price reviews by the Federal Office Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the cost of medication under basic insurance rose significantly in 2023. It has now passed the CHF 9 billion mark, representing an increase of 5.9% on the previous year. The price level continues to rise as new high-priced medications enter the market. The use of generic medications and biosimilars also remains rare.
The Helsana Drug Report is the only one of its kind in Switzerland. The report – compiled in cooperation with the European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM) at the University of Basel – provides authentic insights into the supply of medicinal products in Switzerland. We also cast a critical eye on the market for medicinal products, look for anomalies and differences, and identify room for improvement.
The report is in German, and the summary is available in German and English.
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