Swiss Federal Council moves to make chemical and pharma firms fund poison hotline
The Swiss Federal Council plans to amend legislation so that the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors must each contribute annually to Tox Info Suisse, the national poison information service.
Switzerland’s Federal Council announced that it will push through changes to the Chemicals Act and the Medicines Act to obligate the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to co-finance Tox Info Suisse. The draft, slated for a consultation period ending in mid-February, sets an annual levy of around 240 francs for chemical manufacturers and about 5,300 francs for drug-approval holders. Officials said voluntary funding has not provided the necessary long-term support, despite the centre’s origins in private sponsorship about sixty years ago.
By mandating contributions, the council seeks to ensure the poison-information hotline remains fully funded without relying solely on state budgets. The proposal reflects a broader effort to share the financial burden of public health services between government and industry.
Why it matters
It shifts the cost of a vital public health service onto industry, affecting company expenses and the funding stability of Switzerland's poison hotline.
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