Medical cannabis in Switzerland — prescriptions & growth

Annual prescription count since removal of the FOPH exceptional-authorisation regime (August 2022).

Key facts

  • Prescriptions 2026 (est.): ≈ 12,500
  • Annual growth: +30%
  • Main indications: Chronic pain, MS, sleep

Key takeaways

  • Since the FOPH exceptional-authorisation regime ended in August 2022, prescriptions more than doubled from ~5,500 to ~12,500 (2026).
  • Chronic pain accounts for 42% of prescriptions, MS 18%, sleep disorders 12%.
  • Annual growth holds around 30% — far above the CBD market.

Interpretation

The 2022 reform removed the administrative bottleneck but not the financial one: basic-insurance reimbursement remains a case-by-case assessment under Art. 71a–d KVV, so many patients pay out of pocket. That explains a steep but not explosive curve. The large pain share also shows medical cannabis is mainly used as add-on therapy after standard medication has been exhausted.

Limitations

  • Counts are prescriptions, not patients; repeat prescriptions are included.
  • Indication shares come from SGCM physician surveys with a limited sample.
  • The 2026 value extrapolates from the first half of the year.

Data

IndicationShare
Chronische Schmerzen42
Multiple Sklerose (MS)18
Schlafstörungen12
Onkologie10
Angst / PTBS8
Andere10

Methodology

Combines Swissmedic prescription filings, FOPH authorisations (through 07/2022) and SGCM surveys of prescribing physicians.

Sources

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