The Local Switzerland

How Swiss healthcare costs have 'doubled' since 2000

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:31:10 +0100

Recently released figures show that health insurance premiums have doubled in the past 20 years, with some Swiss households spending almost one fifth of their salary on healthcare.

Why one in five Swiss residents now take psychiatric drugs

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 13:18:34 +0200

The Swiss are taking more and more psychiatric drugs and those living in French-speaking parts of the country are more likely to pop pills than elsewhere in Switzerland, a new study has shown. Here are the details.

Life expectancy: Swiss set to live longer and prosper

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:00:14 +0200

One in four girls born in Switzerland in 2017 could live to be 100 while one in eight boys born in that year could reach the same milestone, according to data published on Thursday.

Swiss science: targeted electrical stimulation helps paralysed men walk again

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 22:23:30 +0100

In a breakthrough study carried out by Swiss researchers, three men with chronic paraplegia were able to walk short distances using crutches or a walker after targeted electrical stimulation was applied to their spinal cords using a wireless implant.

From 'problem child' to 'prodigy'? LSD, made in Switzerland, turns 75

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 12:11:30 +0200

Lysergic acid diethylamide was labelled a "problem child" by the man who discovered its hallucinogenic properties in 1943: as it turns 75, the drug known as LSD may now be changing its image.

Shortage of more than 400 key medications in Switzerland increases calls for more domestic stockpiles

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 12:55:30 +0200

Key imported vaccines and medicines are in short supply in Switzerland due to unforeseen circumstances at production facilities worldwide.

'The Swiss government must make lifesaving drugs affordable'

Tue, 22 May 2018 22:37:45 +0200

Swiss health NGO Public Eye has launched a campaign calling for Swiss authorities to combat the exploding cost of lifesaving medications by taking on the pharma companies.

New courses address shortage of Swiss docs

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:17:10 +0200

Higher education institutions across Switzerland are creating new access courses to medicine to address the shortage of doctors in the country.

Swiss fears over new Down syndrome test

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:13:00 +0200

A controversial new test to detect Down syndrome in unborn babies will come onto the Swiss market in August, something campaigners fear will lead to further stigmatization of sufferers.

Rocking hammocks aid sleep - Swiss study

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:03:00 +0200

A team of Swiss and French scientists published a study on Monday that suggests the rocking motion of a hammock improves sleep quality and helps people get to sleep faster.

Switzerland to destroy swine flu vaccine

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:36:00 +0200

Switzerland said it will destroy its remaining 3.4 million unused doses of vaccines against the H1N1 virus by the end of the year.