Swiss population shows broad support for innovative therapies
A recent study commissioned by Bristol Myers Squibb shows that 84 per cent of the Swiss population considers solidarity in the healthcare system to be important and supports equal access to innovative therapies. In addition, 82 per cent believe that medical reasons should determine access to therapies. The study shows that solidarity and medical necessity are central to the Swiss healthcare system.
84% of respondents consider solidarity in the healthcare system to be important, and many of those surveyed perceive inequality in access to healthcare services. In the case of highly effective but also perceived as expensive therapies, there is broad consensus: everyone should have equal access to appropriate innovative therapies. Costs should not be a deciding factor (84%), with only 15% agreeing somewhat or not at all.
The majority believe that medical reasons alone should determine access to a therapy.
If a person needed an expensive innovative therapy themselves, the majority (85%) believe that the doctor should decide whether they receive such a therapy. 78% believe that they themselves should make this decision. Only a minority consider an independent committee (34%), their own health insurance company (29%) or the state (16%) to be suitable decision-makers in this regard. 82% believe that access to therapies should be determined solely on medical grounds (i.e. not financial). However, anyone who receives highly effective, expensive treatment should follow their doctor’s instructions, even if this means changing their lifestyle.
In principle, most people are against a cost cap for very expensive treatments
However, various aspects play a role when it comes to a cost cap. 85% believe that a rich country like Switzerland must find a solution for financing if it makes medical sense. A cost cap (e.g. based on age), behaviour-oriented cost sharing and cost sharing linked to age and health status are rejected by the majority. The smaller the group of people affected by behaviour-based cost sharing, the higher the general acceptance of this solution. Accordingly, a premium increase for tobacco users is more widely accepted than for people who consume excessive amounts of sugar.
Long-term cost savings play an important role for respondents
Overall, the population believes that medical reasons should be central to the decision on a course of treatment and that this can even lead to lower costs and positive effects for society in the long term. 86% believe that the cost discussion often overlooks the fact that money is saved in the long term (e.g. the person can return to work, no long-term care). 80% believe that aspects such as reintegration into the labour market without dependence on social benefits and a return to civil society obligations should be taken into account when deciding on innovative therapies.
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