Health · Pharma & Biotech · 16 hrs ago
Swiss oncologist warns US drug pricing pressure could delay cancer therapies
Thomas Ruhstaller, an oncologist who treats breast cancer patients in Switzerland, says access to most modern cancer medicines remains good.
But before a new drug has an agreed Swiss price, doctors often have to seek approval and payment from insurers for each patient.
That process can take one to two years and may cause delays.
Insurers also negotiate confidential discounts, so the prices actually paid are not public.
Ruhstaller says the United States wants to use net prices from other countries, including discounts, when setting its own drug prices.
He warns that drug companies might delay launching new medicines in Switzerland, or not launch them there, if Swiss prices put pressure on US profits.
The sources do not say whether any medicines have been delayed or what action will follow.
Swiss oncologist Thomas Ruhstaller warns that pressure from the United States over drug prices could delay or prevent the launch of new cancer therapies in Switzerland.
He says US officials want to use net prices in comparable countries to set lower US prices.
Ruhstaller says companies may delay introducing medicines in Switzerland if its prices reduce their US-market margins.
He says Swiss patients currently have access to most modern cancer therapies, but getting new medicines can involve administrative work and delays.
He estimates confidential discounts on some medicines can range from 30 to 50 percent.
- Who
- Thomas Ruhstaller, a Swiss oncologist, is warning about the risks to patients’ access to new cancer medicines.
- What
- He says US pressure to lower drug prices could delay or prevent new therapies from reaching Switzerland.
- When
- The article was published on 11 October 2026. Ruhstaller says the pressure is happening now.
- Where
- Switzerland and the United States.
- Why
- US officials want to use prices in comparable countries to set lower US drug prices, Ruhstaller says. He warns that companies could respond by delaying or withholding medicines in Switzerland.
Thomas Ruhstaller
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider
Effect of US pricing pressure
Thomas Ruhstaller
Ruhstaller warns that Switzerland could lose access to innovative medicines or face delayed launches.
Elisabeth Baume-Schneider
Baume-Schneider has said Switzerland will not let the United States dictate its prices.
Wir riskieren gerade, dass wir den Zugang zu innovativen Medikamenten ganz verlieren.
Wenn unsere Preise die Margen auf dem amerikanischen Markt zu stark drücken, führen die Firmen neue Medikamente auf dem Schweizer Markt lieber zwei Jahre später oder gar nicht mehr ein.
The Federal Office of Public Health begins price negotiations with the pharmaceutical company.
A price is often agreed, and during that period doctors apply to insurers for individual reimbursement.
Watson published Ruhstaller’s warning about US pricing pressure and access to cancer medicines in Switzerland.
- Oncologist
- Thomas Ruhstaller
- Specialty
- Breast cancer and gynaecological tumours
- Price-setting process
- Often takes one to two years after Swissmedic approval
- Confidential discounts
- Ruhstaller says they are sometimes 30 to 50 percent
- Potential launch delay
- Companies could introduce medicines in Switzerland two years later or not at all
Sources
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