Swissmedic: Vital hub in the joint campaign to combat therapeutic products crime

Cooperation at all levels is the key to curbing the production and trading of illegal medicinal products and medical devices. Swissmedic has been Switzerland's official national point of contact for combating therapeutic products crime under the Medicrime Convention since 2019. The single points of contact (SPOCs) guarantee rapid information exchange between national authorities and their international partners. In Switzerland too, competent authorities from various specialist disciplines work together to protect public health. One established event during which suitable countermeasures are refined and brought into alignment is the annual Medicrime meeting organised by Swissmedic.

Switzerland is fully committed to the Medicrime Convention, which was initiated by the Council of Europe as the first international legal instrument to specifically combat cross-border therapeutic products crime. The system of SPOCs is a key component of the "Council of Europe Convention on the Counterfeiting of Medical Products and Similar Crimes Involving Threats to Public Health" (Medicrime Convention).

Switzerland was one of the first countries to sign the Convention. Swissmedic deliberately developed the role of SPOC even before it was implemented in Swiss law around five years ago, and the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products was officially designated as the national hub and point of contact. Curbing illegal therapeutic products in Switzerland involves collaboration between different authorities operating under differing laws. In addition to holding regular discussions, Swissmedic has been inviting relevant players to an annual meeting for the past five years. The national "Medicrime meeting" is an opportunity for involved authorities operating under different sets of laws to develop new strategies, create synergies and optimise information exchange in the fight against illegal therapeutic products.

At the most recent meeting in September 2024, representatives of Swissmedic, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS, the Federal Office of Police fedpol and Federal and cantonal public prosecutors came together with members of various police forces, members of Swiss Sport Integrity and cantonal pharmacists to explore ways of optimising countermeasures. Once again, attendees forged links between legal and scientific knowledge and underscored the importance of a coordinated approach. The topical issues discussed included developments in e-commerce, therapeutic products being illegally offered for sale on social media and illegal medicinal product smuggling offences and prosecutions. At the same time, Swissmedic gave a briefing on the key developments in international collaboration with partner authorities abroad. As the national single point of contact for illegal therapeutic products, Swissmedic's prevention and prosecution activities rely heavily on collaboration with partner authorities. National dialogue within the framework of Medicrime meetings is an important contribution to efficiently combating illegal networks. The next meeting will take place in autumn 2025.