The FOPH informs the general public about human research and helps people to search for clinical studies. It also operates a Coordination Office, which facilitates exchange and coordination between the different supervisory authorities.
"Human Research Switzerland" information page
The FOPH is responsible for informing the Swiss population about human research. To this end, it operates the website "Human Research Switzerland", which contains information about human research.
In line with its duty to provide information, the FOPH publishes an annual summary of the ethics committees' annual reports. This is supplemented by statistics on the type and number of research projects that have been approved in Switzerland. The statistics are produced by the FOPH in cooperation with the Swiss Association of Research Ethics Committees (swissethics).
The reports can be found in the "Documents" section as well as on the website "Human Research Switzerland".
Searching for clinical studies
In addition to its task to inform the general public about human research, the FOPH is also responsible for making information on clinical studies (referred to as "clinical trials" in the legislation) publicly accessible. This task is also fulfilled through the study search available on the "Human Research Switzerland" website.
The study search enables those who are interested, including patients, to find suitable clinical studies. Alongside clinical studies taking place in Switzerland, the function also displays studies being conducted in Switzerland's neighbouring countries.
The filter function in the study search can be used to search for certain types of clinical studies, e.g. for specific diseases or study locations. For each study, it is possible to see whether participants are still being recruited, how the project leads can be contacted, and whether the study has already been concluded.
It thus provides researchers with a clear overview of current research activities in a specific field.
Once a clinical study has been concluded, a summary of the results – in the Swiss national languages and easily comprehensible to the general public – will be published in the study search.
The study search thus plays a key role in ensuring transparency regarding human research.
Coordination Office for Human Research
The FOPH operates the Coordination Office for Human Research. This office has the following two core tasks:
- It ensures regular dialogue between the supervisory authorities involved
- It is capable of drawing up recommendations on harmonising approval and reporting procedures in cooperation with the supervisory authorities.
The Swiss Association of Research Ethics Committees (swissethics) has been mandated by the FOPH to ensure coordination between the cantonal ethics committees.
Last modification 01.03.2025
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Biomedicine Division
Human Research Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 51 54