Biomedicine legislation

The legislation on therapeutic products comprises the Federal Act on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (Therapeutic Products Act, TPA) and the associated Federal Council and Agency ordinances. It is regularly aligned to the state of scientific knowledge.

In Switzerland, the way research involving humans is conducted is governed by the Human Research Act and its implementing ordinances. The legislation is designed to safeguard the dignity, privacy and health of people involved in research.

The Federal Act of 18 December 1998 on Medically Assisted Reproduction (Reproduction Medicine Act, RMA) lays down the conditions under which the methods of medically assisted reproduction may be used.

Research involving embryonal stem cells is regulated in Switzerland by the Stem Cell Research Act (StRA). This stipulates the conditions under which stem cells may be obtained and used in research.