Pharmaceutical regulation

Pharmaceutical regulation covers the full life cycle of medicines, from research and clinical trials to marketing authorisation, manufacturing standards, wholesale, dispensing, advertising, pricing aspects and pharmacovigilance. In Switzerland, federal therapeutic products law and the national regulator play a central role, while cantons supervise many healthcare and pharmacy activities. The system aims to ensure quality, safety and efficacy, prevent misleading promotion and manage supply risks. Comparative questions often concern market access, generics, cross-border trade, data protection, reimbursement links and alignment with international standards.