Key facts
In Switzerland, no therapeutic product may be distributed without authorisation. Authorisation is granted by Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products. The institute monitors the safety of therapeutic products sold in Switzerland. Swissmedic relies on a monitoring system for medicines and vaccines known as “pharmacovigilance”. This consists of collecting reports of adverse reactions (ARs) and incidents likely to have an impact on consumer health, then examining them in order to take any necessary safety measures.