How do you get cannabis on prescription in Switzerland?
Since 1 August 2022, any Swiss doctor can prescribe medical cannabis without special FOPH authorisation. Requirement: a medical indication (chronic pain, spasticity, appetite loss). Insurance reimbursement is rare and case-by-case.
Key facts
- Since 1.8.2022 no FOPH permit required
- Narcotics prescription from any doctor
- Indications: pain, spasticity, nausea
- Dispensed via specialised pharmacies
- 20–30 CHF/g, reimbursement rare
Detailed answer
Until July 2022 every prescription needed a special FOPH permit. Since then all Swiss doctors can prescribe cannabis medicines (Sativex, flowers, extracts) on a narcotics prescription. Common indications: chronic pain, MS spasticity, chemo-induced nausea, palliative care, ADHD, PTSD, treatment-resistant epilepsy. Dispensed by specialised pharmacies; foreign products via Swissmedic single-import approval. Cost: 20–30 CHF/g, usually self-paid.