Executive Summary
The Federal Council approved the annual report of Swissmedic for 2025 on 12 June 2026 and discharged the Institute Board. The Swiss medicines institute recorded a deficit of nearly 32 million francs, covered by reserves. Despite strong performance in core business – 40 new human medicines approved, 89 clinical trials inspected – the structural funding gap has worsened due to rising costs and declining federal contributions. In November 2025, the Institute Board decided on drastic cost-cutting measures: 45 full-time positions (9% staff reduction) and 6 million francs in material cost cuts by 2027. At the same time, leadership changed: Vincenza Trivigno took over as Director in January 2026 from Raimund Bruhin.
Persons
- Vincenza Trivigno (new Swissmedic Director, since January 2026)
- Raimund Bruhin (former Swissmedic Director)
- Milena Folletti (new Institute Board member)
Topics
- Swissmedic financial budget 2025
- Staff reductions and cost-cutting measures
- Digitalization and IT modernization
- Medicines approvals and supervisory activities
- Leadership change and organizational reforms
Clarus Lead
The financial crisis at Swissmedic marks a turning point for the Swiss medicines authority: while performance in core business remains stable, a growing funding gap is forcing the institution to implement drastic cost-cutting measures. The new Director Trivigno takes office in a position that must not only drive digitalization but also implement massive staff reductions – a tension between innovation and cost control. The planned increase in federal funding of 2.7 million francs and the introduction of a product registration fee for medical devices signal political support, but are insufficient to fully address the structural funding gap.
Detailed Summary
The 32 million franc deficit results from three factors: the growing funding gap in federal contributions since 2023, substantial increases in operating and personnel expenses, and the 2022 decision to reduce the medicines supervision fee. Reserves, which stood at 91 million francs at the end of 2025, were drawn upon to cover losses and will decline to 59.5 million francs from 2026 onwards.
Swissmedic maintained its international competitiveness in 2025: the median processing time for approval procedures fell by 52 days to 392 calendar days, placing the authority among the six fastest medicines authorities worldwide. Supervisory activities were intensified – more clinical trials and hospitals were inspected, focused actions to control fillers and importers were conducted, over 6,000 cases of illegal medicines imports were handled. The Innovation Office introduced in 2023 supported dialogue with regulators and promoted projects on novel therapies.
Digital transformation made progress: the provider switch to Swisscom enabled the operation of a private cloud infrastructure; all SAP applications were migrated to the cloud. The Swissmedic portal was expanded functionally, with first application processes now available digitally. However, the replacement of legacy systems will be implemented more slowly than planned, extending to 2030. The final report of the "Transformation Swissmedic Platforms" program documents the establishment of agile organizational structures and the harmonization of core processes according to international standards.
Key Statements
- Swissmedic recorded a deficit of 32 million francs in 2025, covered by reserves; structural funding gap remains unresolved
- Planned staff reduction of 45 full-time positions (9%) and material cost cuts of 6 million francs by 2027 are intended to mark a turning point
- Operationally stable: 40 new medicines approved, approval procedures among the fastest worldwide, supervisory activities intensified
- Digitalization program creates cloud infrastructure and portal platform; legacy system replacement delayed until 2030
- Leadership change with new Director Trivigno and strengthened Institute Board positions authority for reform phase
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: How was the structural funding gap of 32 million francs calculated? What cost forecasts underpin the cost-cutting measures, and how robust are these against inflation or unforeseen expenses?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent could the staff reduction of 45 positions jeopardize inspection and supervisory capacity, particularly regarding control of illegal medicines imports and clinical trials?
Causality/Alternatives: Will the planned product registration fee for medical devices generate sufficient revenue, or will additional fee increases be required? Were alternative financing models (e.g., increased approval fees) evaluated?
Feasibility/Risks: How will Swissmedic ensure that digital transformation is completed by 2030 while simultaneously reducing 45 positions? Is there a risk that IT projects will be delayed?
Data Quality: The report cites "increased operating and personnel expenses" as a reason – are specific cost drivers (wages, infrastructure, external services) disclosed?
Governance: How will the new Director Trivigno be supported in implementing cost-cutting measures? Are there continuity risks associated with leadership change and reorganization occurring in parallel?
Bibliography
Primary Source: Federal Council approves Swissmedic 2025 Annual Report – news.admin.ch https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/38RS5jlPiS9cmsuAWBd0F
Verification Status: ✓ 12.06.2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 12.06.2026