Media releases
Federal Council approves the amendments to the International Health Regulations
At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council decided to approve the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). In reaching this decision, it took account of the results of the public consultation and of the consultation of the parliamentary committees responsible, taking note of the relevant report. The IHR are designed to promote international collaboration to control any events which pose a threat to public health.
World Health Assembly in Geneva opened by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider
In her opening address to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider underlined the importance of a fully capable and sustainably financed WHO in combating the spread of international diseases and ensuring access to good-quality healthcare for all countries. In this context, the WHA will on Tuesday consider the Pandemic Agreement, now ready for adoption. The Federal Councillor will also take the opportunity offered by the WHA to hold bilateral talks with various health ministers.
The Federal Council defines guidelines for expanding the supply of medical devices
At its meeting on 30 April 2025, the Federal Council noted the ongoing efforts to implement Motion 20.3211, which aims to open the possibility for medical devices from non-European regulatory systems to be placed on the Swiss market. In order to ensure adequate supplies of medical devices and to guarantee patient safety, the Federal Council defined guidelines and will assign responsibility for controls to private bodies.
Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health. It also authorised Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to sign the agreement. Signature of the EUPA will enable Swiss association in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme to be applied retroactively from 1 January 2025. The agreement will come into effect following ratification of the Switzerland-EU package
Switzerland and EU initial agreement on programmes
On 2 April, the chief negotiators from Switzerland and the European Union initialled an agreement in Brussels on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes. The agreement comes into force once the overall Switzerland-EU package has been ratified, but could already be applied provisionally after the signing, which is due to take place in November.
Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider attends the meeting of EU health ministers in Warsaw
On 24 and 25 March 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider attended the informal meeting of European Union (EU) health ministers held in Warsaw. The main topics on the agenda were the mental health of children and adolescents, the security in the supply of medicines, and health promotion and disease prevention. The Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs also took this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and with the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume Schneider and WHO Director General meet in Geneva
On Friday, 21 March, 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, met for an exchange in Geneva. They discussed Switzerland’s commitment to ensuring the WHO’s capacity to act as well as the country’s efforts for an effective multilateralism. Other topics on the agenda were the constraint budgetary situation of the WHO and the organisation’s ongoing reform processes.
Medicinal Products Licensing Ordinance modified
The Federal Council resolved at its meeting of 12 February 2025 to enable international organisations headquartered in Switzerland to import non-authorised medicinal products into the country for their own personnel under certain conditions. The new provisions cover medicinal products such as vaccines for employees of the United Nations and its specialised agencies.
Most people aged 65 or over rate their health as good to excellent
In Switzerland, the majority of people aged 65 or over rate their health as good, very good or excellent. This was shown by a survey conducted under the aegis of the Commonwealth Fund in ten countries, including Switzerland. The survey, carried out in spring 2024, also shows that 97 per cent of older adults in this country have a GP, who in most cases helps to coordinate their medical care.
Antibiotic resistance: further efforts required despite progress made so far
The new “Swiss Antibiotic Resistance Report 2024” (SARR 2024) shows that the use of antibiotics, particularly in veterinary medicine, continues to decline. At the same time, the report highlights the need for further efforts to ensure appropriate use of antibiotics and to combat resistance. Monitoring of antibiotic use and of the development of resistance in humans, farm and companion animals and the environment is a key tool for implementing the Swiss Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR) of the federal offices responsible for public health (FOPH), food safety and veterinary affairs (FSVO), agriculture (FOAG) and the environment (FOEN).
Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider attends G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider took part in the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro today. Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider also represented Switzerland at the G20’s Joint Ministerial Meeting on Finance and Health. The meetings’ discussions focused in particular on the resilience of healthcare systems and on ensuring equitable access to medical products. The Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) also took the opportunity to conduct bilateral discussions with several of her international counterparts. She will continue her stay in Brazil with a working visit devoted to both health and cultural issues between now and Saturday 2 November.
Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider on working visit to Spain to discuss digital healthcare
On 14 and 15 October 2024, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider is in Madrid on a working visit, focused on sharing experience on the digital transformation of healthcare. The visit by the Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) included a meeting on Monday with the Spanish Health Minister Mónica García Gómez. The second day of this working visit is dedicated to equality and the fight against violence against women.
Federal Council steps up fight against antibiotic resistance
The number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise all over the world. This poses a growing threat to the effective treatment of infections and places a significant burden on health systems, including Switzerland’s. In order to ramp up the fight against antibiotic resistance, the Federal Council adopted the new One Health Action Plan for StAR 2024-2027 as part of the Swiss Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (StAR) at its meeting on 26 June 2024. This Action Plan promotes effective measures, sets out national objectives and takes innovative approaches to ensure the long-term availability and effectiveness of antibiotics to preserve human and animal health.