January 21, 2025|
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|11 months agoSwiss media challenges Swissmedic over weight-loss drug coverage restrictions
Regulator faces backlash for ordering deletion of articles about Ozempic and Wegovy, sparking censorship debate
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Swissmedic has ordered three major Swiss media groups (NZZ, Ringier, and 20 Minuten) to delete online articles about weight-loss drugs under threat of punishment.
- There have been over 840 media reports in Switzerland with 'Ozempic' in the headline in the last two years.
- Ozempic is authorized for Type 2 diabetes in Switzerland but is often used off-label for weight loss, while Wegovy and Mounjaro are authorized specifically for weight reduction.
- Swissmedic has previously taken issue with articles regarding migraine treatments, indicating a broader regulatory stance.
By The Numbers
840+
media reports
12%
of the population
$100 billion
estimated annual market value
1 billion
people
They Said
"The interpretation of the law by Swissmedic goes too far so that almost all editorial content could suddenly be considered an advertisement."
"How to lose weight is part and should remain part of the public discussion."