Switzerland - News and perspectives

Multinational companies

Whatever happened to the world’s most expensive drug?

Zolgensma came to the market five years ago with a price tag of $2.1 million. What happened to it?

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Multinational companies

How drug prices are negotiated

By Céline Stegmüller

Multinational companies

High-priced drugs and little evidence is a ‘toxic combination’

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Multinational companies

What’s your experience with rising costs for healthcare and medicine?

By Jessica Davis Plüss

Switzerland and frozen Russian assets: where do things stand?

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 As the world’s largest wealth manager, Switzerland finds itself in the spotlight over frozen Russian assets.

A researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in Dübendorf.

Planned cuts to education and research funding in Switzerland spark concerns

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 Critics fear the quality of Swiss research and competitiveness will suffer if the government’s proposed budget passes.

A speaker's desk in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, in Strasbourg, France, on October

‘Governments need to address the climate crisis, not the courts’

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 Legislative bodies in Europe should pay close attention to the historic verdict of the ECHR against Switzerland, says an expert.

Switzerland Today

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 In today’s briefing: Russian asset update, pensioners flee pricey Switzerland and a city dweller survey.

An Alpine carnival: Switzerland stars as a superfiction at the Venice Biennale

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 The Swiss-Brazilian artist Guerreiro do Divino Amor will represent Switzerland for the 60th edition of the Venice Art Biennale.

Swiss Abroad: fog clears on tax reform in Thailand

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 The tax reform affecting Swiss living in Thailand since January 1 contained a number of grey areas. It is now clear that pensions will be taxed.

Jia Zhang-ke, Chinese filmmaker and member of the Concorso internazionale Jury, poses during a photocall at the 71st Locarno International Film Festival, Wednesday, August 1, 2018, in Locarno, Switzerland. The Festival del film Locarno runs from 1 to 11 August. (KEYSTONE/Alexandra Wey)

An outsider at home, a master abroad: Jia Zhangke’s struggles to film the real China

This content was published on Apr 21, 2024 The Chinese director was a guest of honour at the Visions du Réel festival. He explained to SWI how he manages to avoid censorship.

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SWI swissinfo.ch offers a selection of Swiss films in English chosen from the Swiss streaming platform Play Suisse.

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“Let’s Talk” is SWI swissinfo.ch’s format to discuss relevant topics with high-profile experts and political figures.

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Check out our long format stories on topics like the Swiss pharma industry, Switzerland’s struggles with dirty gold, and living in the Alps.

Switzerland: How To

How do you dispose of rubbish in Switzerland? What are the visa requirements? It’s all here.

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We’d love to hear what you think about what’s going on in the world. You can find all of our debate questions here.

Swiss franc strengthens amid Middle East tensions

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 Large overnight gains against the dollar and euro were however partially reversed as markets calmed down somewhat.

Lufthansa suspends flights to Israel amid developing conflict

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 Four flights have been affected thus far, as the situation between Israel and Iran continues to escalate.

A man holding papers and speaks into a microphone.

Switzerland abstains from vote to grant Palestine full UN membership

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 Switzerland did not vote to grant Palestine full UN membership. The resolution ended up being blocked by a veto during the vote.

SWISS resumes flights to Tel Aviv

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 Following a thorough analysis of the situation, it has been concluded that safe operations can be ensured, the airline said on Tuesday.

US and Iran had contact ‘through Swiss intermediaries’ ahead of attack

This content was published on Apr 15, 2024 The US had contact with Iran through Swiss intermediaries both before and after Tehran’s mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, a senior Biden administration official said.

Swiss authorities condemn Iranian attack on Israel

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 Switzerland has condemned Iran’s night-time attack on Israel in no uncertain terms and called on all sides to show restraint and prudence.

SWISS flights to skirt Iranian airspace

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 The airline has decided to temporarily avoid flying through Iranian airspace due to escalating tensions in the region.

Protesters in the Swiss capital city, Bern.

Swiss demonstrators demand Middle East peace

This content was published on Apr 7, 2024 Middle East peace demonstration draws 1,000 people to Swiss capital, Bern.

‘In Gaza, humanitarian workers are not heroes, but victims’

This content was published on Apr 5, 2024 Just back from Gaza, emergency coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières, Marie-Aure Perreaut Revial, condemns systematic attacks on humanitarian workers.

Israeli air strikes hit Deir Al Balah in Gaza.

Swiss foreign ministry warns of deterioration in Middle East

This content was published on Apr 5, 2024 In light of recent developments in the Israel-Hamas war, the Swiss foreign ministry has warned of the possibility of deterioration.

SWISS pilots concerned over safety of Israel flights

This content was published on Apr 4, 2024 Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) pilots and flight attendants are increasingly cancelling their flights to Israel due to safety concerns.

Eyewitness in a Gaza hospital and defending human rights defenders

This content was published on Apr 2, 2024 In Inside Geneva this week we get an eyewitness account of a mission to supply Gaza’s hospitals.

UNRWA head calls on Switzerland to resume financial support

This content was published on Mar 26, 2024 Some countries have resumed UNRWA funding, but Switzerland is awaiting clarification of allegations.

Israeli soldiers outside an UNRWA building in Gaza.

UNRWA chief denounces mistreatment and torture by Israel

This content was published on Mar 24, 2024 The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has repeated his accusations of mistreatment by Israel against staff of the UN agency who have been arrested in Gaza.

Director of Swiss development agency denied access to Gaza Strip

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 Patrizia Danzi is among various European diplomats who have been denied access to the war-torn enclave.

June 9 votes in Switzerland: how can healthcare costs be reined in?

On June 9, Swiss voters will decide on two initiatives aimed at capping the cost of healthcare in the country. Have your say on the issue here.

Join the discussion

Apr 19, 2024

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How drug prices are negotiated

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 Switzerland’s pharmaceutical sector supplies drugs worldwide, but not all countries receive them with the same price tag. Here’s why.

woman in black shirt pointing at camera with blue background and emojis

How you view the problem of low birth rates in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 Why do you think the Swiss birthrate has fallen so low. What impact will this have?

Guerreiro do Divino Amor poses in front of the "Fountain of Helvetia", part of the installation at the Swiss Pavilion in Venice.

An Alpine carnival: Switzerland stars as a superfiction at the Venice Biennale

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 The Swiss-Brazilian artist Guerreiro do Divino Amor will represent Switzerland for the 60th edition of the Venice Art Biennale.

Switzerland’s long-standing love of cartography

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 Long world-renowned, Swiss maps have in recent years managed to reach a wider public.

Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

a customs officer looking through luggage

Drug-busting with customs officers at Zurich airport

This content was published on Apr 12, 2024 Watch: Gino the sniffer dog helps in the search for cocaine smuggled into Switzerland via Zurich airport.

Flexible retirement could help plug labour gaps in Switzerland

This content was published on Apr 3, 2024 At a stretch, people of retirement age could be persuaded to stay at work longer.

Former CERN director Herwig Schopper – a centenarian on the impact of physics

This content was published on Mar 22, 2024 The German physicist and former director of CERN looks back at some of the highlights and encounters of his career.

Tandem jumps are even more dangerous than BASE jumping.

Should tandem BASE jumping be banned in the Swiss Alps?

This content was published on Mar 19, 2024 A new type of extreme sport is making people see red in the Alpine town of Lauterbrunnen: tandem BASE jumping.

How we work: comment moderation

This content was published on Mar 13, 2024 Are comments on SWI swissinfo.ch censored? How do we moderate your contributions? In this video we make our moderation transparent.

‘Yes’ to more state pension in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 3, 2024 Watch the reaction to Sunday’s vote on raising Swiss state pensions.

A man looking at a vegan cheese wheel on a table.

Redefining what Swiss cheese can be

This content was published on Feb 29, 2024 New Roots has managed to grow from a market stall to a 4,000m2 factory in a span of eight years.

How we work: sources

This content was published on Feb 28, 2024 How does SWI swissinfo.ch track down and vet sources? Find out in the latest installment of our “how we work” series.

Swiss research uses VR to reduce pre-surgery anxiety

This content was published on Feb 25, 2024 The use of virtual reality (VR) in medicine is becoming increasingly popular. For example, to reduce preoperative anxiety.

A call for safer ski slopes in Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 22, 2024 Ski accidents are more serious and more expensive to treat.

External Content

Each day, SWI swissinfo.ch selects and presents content from our European public service media partners as part of a project of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Reuters International

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:53

Chinese security equipment company raided in EU over foreign subsidies concerns

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:40

Analysis-UK stocks may finally be back in fashion

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:38

Russian court rejects new appeal by US reporter Evan Gershkovich

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:36

Risk of famine ‘very high’ in Gaza, especially in the north, US official says

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:13

US to take aim at Chinese banks aiding Russia war effort, WSJ reports

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 19:09

Lebanon’s Hezbollah launches deepest attack into Israel since start of Gaza war

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:54

Scholz and Lindner sceptical about reforming German debt brake

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:43

German climate activists sentenced for spraying paint on Brandenburg Gate

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:42

Racist violence surges in Greece, report finds

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:40

Soccer agent ‘threatened’ Chelsea director over Zouma fee, UK court hears

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:35

Britain’s increased defence spending commitment: how will it work?

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:29

UN rights chief ‘horrified’ by mass grave reports at Gaza hospitals

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:27

Widowed Palestinian doesn’t expect much from US action against Israel

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:22

UK to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, says Sunak

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:18

Exclusive-US preparing $1 billion weapons package for Ukraine, officials say

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:17

Factbox-Cases of suspected Chinese espionage in Europe

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:14

Norway calls on donors to resume funding to Palestinian UNRWA agency

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:12

UK’s FTSE 100 hits record peak; Associated British Foods surges

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 17:43

Migrants drown in English Channel hours after UK passes Rwanda policy

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 17:41

Greece arrests suspected members of criminal group linked to sports violence

Bloomberg Business

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 18:26

‘Magnificent Seven’ Roar Hours Away From Earnings: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 10:13

Novartis Surges After Forecast Boost Beats Expectations

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 09:42

Switzerland Has Frozen $14 Billion in Total of Russia Assets

This content was published on Apr 23, 2024 – 07:27

UBS Dials Back China Fund Plans on High Costs, Grim Outlook

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 – 22:18

Stocks Climb as US Earnings Kick Into High Gear: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 – 11:43

Swiss Banks Face $440 Million Hit on Higher SNB Reserve Rule

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 – 09:28

Rare Rolex Fetches Record $3.5 Million at Monaco Auction

This content was published on Apr 22, 2024 – 07:37

Barclays, BNP, Deutsche Bank Earnings Hinge on Trading, Rates

This content was published on Apr 21, 2024 – 14:42

Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge Is Set to Back Rate-Cut Patience

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 – 20:09

Europe Needs Reforms to Boost Productivity, SNB’s Jordan Says

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 23:12

‘Mag Seven’ Get Crushed Before Next Week’s Results: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 13:57

Slovakia Ventures Beyond Euro Bonds for First Time in Decade

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 11:55

SoftwareOne Shares Rise After Board Ouster Spurs Bid Speculation

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 – 05:23

It’s Taken 100 Scientists Two Years to Rename Airborne Viruses After Covid Mistakes

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 23:06

Treasuries Hit as Hawkish Fed Views Keep Piling Up: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 19:36

Swiss Chocolatier Invests in Cocoa Farming as Supply Crunch Bites

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 19:23

SNB Acknowledges Market Expectations of Further Rate Cuts

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 – 10:01

Swiss Watch Exports Plunge as China and Hong Kong Demand Dries Up

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 22:46

S&P 500 Suffers Its Longest Slide Since January: Markets Wrap

This content was published on Apr 17, 2024 – 21:07

UBS Plans Next Round of Layoffs in Credit Suisse Integration

Rolex: how the queen of the watch industry keeps its secrets

This content was published on Apr 20, 2024 How did Rolex conquer the world? A new book tells the story of a discreet company, skilful marketing – and a dark chapter.

Switzerland needs energy, but what kind?

This content was published on Apr 19, 2024 With the electricity law Switzerland wants to promote renewable energies. Voters will decide on this on June 9.

Swiss federal votes on June 9: what’s on the agenda?

Two initiatives aimed at stemming healthcare costs will take centre stage when voters go to the polls on June 9.

People dancing at Montreux Jazz Festival.

The Montreux Jazz Festival in numbers

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Here’s a look at some eye-catching facts and figures behind the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland’s biggest annual music festival. The line-up for the July 5-20 event was announced on Thursday.

Sudan: senior Red Cross official reflects on devastating year-long war

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Patrick Youssef, regional director for Africa at the ICRC, talks about the humanitarian needs in Sudan, one of the world’s worst crises.

Around 300 right-wing extremists celebrating a belated National Day on the Rütli.

‘Dialogue’: are you concerned about increasing violence and radicalisation among young people in Switzerland?

This content was published on Apr 18, 2024 Radicalisation of young people in Switzerland is increasing. Read up on the topic and join the discussion on dialogue!

Zurich Zoo unveiled: animal life as you’ve never seen it

This content was published on Apr 14, 2024 The German film maker Romuald Karmakar premiered in Berlin his three-hour documentary about the inner life of one of the top zoos in the world.

Moon robots learn to walk – in Zurich

This content was published on Apr 13, 2024 Scientists in Switzerland are developing robots that will one day explore the Moon or Mars.

Libby Heaney’s quantum soup served in Basel

This content was published on Apr 6, 2024 Quantum Soup is the first solo exhibition of visual artist and quantum physicist Libby Heaney in Switzerland.

Mikhail Shishkin: ‘It pains me to be a Russian writer’

This content was published on Apr 4, 2024 In an in-depth interview Mikhail Shishkin discusses how he witnessed Switzerland welcome dirty money with open arms and whether Russia and Ukraine will ever be able to reconcile.

Electric dreams: the Swiss origins of the electric guitar

This content was published on Apr 1, 2024 The story of how two people from Basel helped invent the electric guitar.

How Swiss-designed wigs make their way from Bali to the big screen

This content was published on Mar 30, 2024 In Bali, Swiss expat Orlando Bassi makes handmade wigs for Hollywood and Broadway – so successfully that he can afford to pay two butlers.

Record-breaking Switzerland: from the world’s steepest railway to the largest igloo

This content was published on Apr 16, 2024 Some of the most impressive – and surprising – world records held by Swiss engineers, scientists and adventurers.

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