Swissmedic

Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (French Institute suisse des produits thérapeutiques, Italian Istituto per gli svizzero agenti terapeutici ), the licensing and inspection authority for remedies in Switzerland with headquarters in Bern. Swissmedic adopted on 1 January 2002 as the successor organization of the Inter- Office for the Control Medicines (IKS ) to operate on. It is linked to the Federal Department of Home Affairs.

Structure

Swissmedic is a public institution of the covenant, which was established by the Swiss Law on Therapeutic Products. It is independent in its organization and management and has its own budget skills. The financing is handled by fees and to a lesser extent on payments from the federal government for the provision of public services. Swissmedic offers approximately 300 full-time positions.

Tasks

All medicines for humans and animals may only be placed on the market with the approval by Swissmedic in Switzerland. In addition, the Institute must be notified to all clinical trials. Swissmedic is also responsible for the market surveillance of drugs and medical products.

With the approval of new medicines, Swissmedic applies the internationally accepted criteria. The preparations should only be sold if their quality, safety and efficacy have been well documented and reviewed. The required testing of drugs is complex and often takes several months to complete. If the criteria for authorization are met, Swissmedic shall adopt an authorization shall the sale fixed ( prescription / discharge points ) and approved the technical and patient information. The approval comes at the expense of the applicant. After five years, it must be renewed.