Swiss parallel trade approved by Council of States, with "pharma exception"

Switzerland's 46-member Council of States has voted to allow the parallel trade of patented products into the country - but with a specific exclusion for prescription drugs. The overall decision was carried by 31 votes to 12.

Under the new system, those goods, such as pharmaceuticals, which have their prices fixed by either the Swiss government or the exporting country, will be excluded. The vote for this action was 27 to 12. The 200-member National Council is due to review the proposal.

The research-based drugmakers group, the SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz, expressed its "disapproval" of the decision taken on September 24, to unilaterally change patent rights in Switzerland. In a statement, the group said: "by proceeding in this way, the Chamber of the Cantons has not only taken the side against the very clear position of the Federal Council and of the National Council, but is selling out on the protection of intellectual property rights that are linked to innovation."