In order to reduce the development of resistance to antibiotics, the Swiss government decided to review the legal framework needed for dispensing these medicines.
Antibiotic pills are currently sold in manufacturer’s packaging, which means that even if the prescribed dose is twice a day during five days (that is, 10 tablets), the packaging may contain twice that amount.
In Switzerland, in 30 to 50 percent of cases, the prescribed quantities of antibiotics do not correspond to the quantity contained in the original packaging.
“This can lead to inappropriate use and the development of resistance,” the Federal Council stated in a press release.
The reason, according to the government, is that “every time antibiotics are used, resistant bacteria can develop.”
This can happen when people take all the pills in the package in the belief that ‘more is better’, while in reality, this practice leads to developing resistance, so in the future this particular type of antibiotics will no longer be effective.
Less is better
That is why on June 25th, the Federal Council has charged the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) with creating the necessary legal basis for changing the way antibiotics are dispensed, and submit a draft for consultation by the end of 2026.
“Dispensing antibiotics individually or in partial quantities when the original packaging does not meet treatment needs is one of the measures aimed at curbing the development of this resistance,” the Federal Council said. “It ensures that patients only receive the quantity of antibiotics they actually need. It also helps reduce antibiotic waste and alleviate shortages.”
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Mandatory and optional
Once the legal bases have been established, dispensing individually will be mandatory for pharmacies and optional for doctors’ offices.
Differentiated regulations will take into account the different framework conditions faced by pharmacies and the medical profession, the government pointed out..
The possibility of introducing individual dispensing for medications other than antibiotics will also be studied.
