Swiss government wants to cut prices on best-selling medications, Zurich defends its swimming lessons for transgender people; and more Swiss news in our roundup this Friday.
The government wants discounts on best-selling medications
To offer best deals to the public and save on the cost of health insurance at the same time, the Federal Council and Parliament want to cut the prices on best-selling medications. The goal is to save 350 million francs annually.
Quantity discounts will be applied to approximately 80 to 100 medications with sales exceeding 15 million francs. These include cancer drugs, as well as products used for weight loss and for treating rheumatism.
The Federal Council has now opened the consultation process on the corresponding amendments to the ordinances, it announced on Thursday.
Faced with opposition, Zurich defends its swimming lessons for transgender people
The municipal council has spoken out in favour of offering swimming lessons for non-binary and transgender people at a local school’s ‘swimming pool – a practice that is being challenged by the local chapter of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
According to the City Council, this special access to the pool is reserved for people “who do not identify exclusively with one gender or whose identity does not correspond to the gender assigned to them at birth.”
Whether the swimmers are non-binary or transgender is not specifically checked because “such intrusion would violate their right,” the council said.
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And there is more action from the Zurich SVP…
Party’s deputy calls for yodelling to become a university subject
SVP deputy Stefan Basler – himself an active yodeller – has filed a motion in the cantonal parliament seeking to establish yodelling as a degreed university subject.
In doing so, Zurich would follow the example of Lucerne, where yodelling has been part of the local university’s curriculum since 2018.
The Zurich parliament will debate this proposal on Monday.
READ MORE: Does anyone in Switzerland still do yodelling?
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Looks don’t matter: Migros takes pity on ugly fruits and vegetables
The country’a largest supermarket chain is expanding its commitment to fighting food waste with the launch of ‘Save Food’ – a new range of imperfect fruits and vegetables which will be sold at reduced prices instead of being tossed away.
Currently limited to only potatoes, the offering is expected to expand to other products as well in the coming months.
Though these products’ appearance may differ from the standard ones due to irregular shapes, smaller sizes, or weather damage, “they lose none of their nutritional quality,” the retailer said.
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