Swiss health insurance spent more on medicine than ever in 2023

Last year, Swiss health insurance companies spent CHF9 billion ($10.2 billion) on medicines for compulsory insurance, almost 6% more than in the previous year. And more than ever before. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Why have medication costs risen? There are various reasons: more patients, more medication per person and new, expensive therapies. According to Swiss insurance company Helsana, the general price level of new preparations has even doubled in recent years. “A little quantity and a lot of price,” concluded the authors of the Helsana Drug Report published this week. Switzerland spent around CHF92 billion on healthcare last year. Of which CHF9 billion is for medicine. Demographic change and chronic disease The population is aging, which is causing healthcare spending to rise. The number of people over 65 grew by 2.3% last year, while the permanent resident population increased by 1.7%. The need for medication also increases with age. This ...