Following Media Reports on Eye Injections: Professional Society Calls for Separate Remuneration of Medications

Following media reports on eye injections, the professional society calls for separate remuneration of medications.

In recent days, the media have reported on the potential impact of new outpatient flat rates on the treatment of retinal diseases. A key issue discussed was how the remuneration system could influence the choice of certain medications.

The Swiss Ophthalmological Society (SOG) asserts that therapeutic decisions should be based solely on medical evidence and the individual situation of patients.

Against this backdrop, the SOG applied in 2025, within the framework of further developing the outpatient tariff system, for the exclusion of medication costs from the flat rate for eye injections, proposing separate remuneration from 2027.

It must be ensured that medical services are remunerated appropriately, regardless of medication prices, especially when medication costs constitute a large portion of the flat rate. This safeguards system integrity, requiring a clear division between medical services and medication costs to enhance the transparency and sustainability of the flat rate system.

This measure aims to ensure that medical innovations and evidence-based therapies are not influenced by misguided incentives within the tariff structure.

Subject to approval by the Federal Council, this adjustment is expected to be implemented within the scope of further developing the tariff structure from 2027.

The Swiss Ophthalmological Society (SOG), together with other professional societies, is committed to a medically appropriate and patient-centred tariff structure.

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