Swissmedic Databases and Lists
Short answer
Swissmedic publishes the list of authorised medicinal products, the approved medicinal product information via AIPS, the list of licensed operations, recall notices, and swissdamed for medical devices. Prices and reimbursement, by contrast, sit in the FOPH's Specialities List.
Where can I see whether a medicinal product is authorised?
In the list of authorised human medicinal products, which Swissmedic regularly publishes as a table. It contains the authorisation number, product name, marketing authorisation holder, active substances, dispensing category and authorisation status. AIPS is used for the approved prescribing and patient information text.
| Source | Operator | Answers | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| List of authorised medicinal products | Swissmedic | Is the product authorised, in which category | Downloadable table |
| AIPS / swissmedicinfo | Swissmedic | Approved prescribing and patient information | Web lookup |
| Swissmedic Journal | Swissmedic | New authorisations, revocations, notices | Publication |
| List of licensed operations | Swissmedic | Does an operation hold a licence, for what activity | Web query |
| Recalls and quality defects | Swissmedic | Ongoing batch recalls | Notices on the website |
| swissdamed | Swissmedic | Medical devices and economic operators | Database |
| Specialities List | FOPH | Price and reimbursement status | Web query and download |
Which sources are often confused?
The authorisation list says nothing about price, and the Specialities List says nothing about authorisation. The Arzneimittel-Kompendium is a privately run publication, not an official source; the medicinal product information published via AIPS is the authoritative one.
- Authorisation: the Swissmedic list, not the Specialities List.
- Price and reimbursement: the FOPH's Specialities List, not Swissmedic.
- Authoritative information text: AIPS, not a private compendium edition.
- Establishment licence: the list of licensed operations, not the commercial register.
- Medical devices: swissdamed, not the medicinal product lists.
Where can you find deeper analysis?
For structured queries across active substances, marketing authorisation holders and ATC codes, we run our own directories in the Swiss regulatory network: swissmedicinesdirectory.com for medicinal products, swissreimbursement.com for Specialities List prices and limitations, swisspharmapartners.com for companies, swissorphanaccess.com for rare diseases.
Are there interfaces for automated queries?
Swissmedic provides the authorisation lists as downloadable files that can be processed automatically. There is no comprehensive open programming interface for authorisation data. For AIPS, structured access exists for the medicinal product information.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kompendium an official source?
No. The Arzneimittel-Kompendium is a privately run publication. The medicinal product information published via AIPS is the official and authoritative one.
How often are the lists updated?
The authorisation lists are updated regularly, typically monthly or quarterly. The Swissmedic Journal reports new decisions on an ongoing basis.
Where can I check whether a company holds a licence?
In the list of operations licensed by Swissmedic. It states the activities and product categories the licence covers.
Can I find prices there too?
No. Prices and reimbursement status appear only in the FOPH's Specialities List.
Where do I find recalls?
On the Swissmedic website under Market Surveillance.
Sources
- Swissmedic: Authorised Medicinal Products and Lists
- AIPS: Medicinal Product Information
- FOPH: medicines
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