Switzerland Travel Health Guide: Pharmacies, Medical Care & Insurance

Overview of Switzerland's Healthcare System

Switzerland maintains one of the world's highest standards of healthcare and consistently ranks at the top of the WHO healthy life expectancy rankings. However, because the medical system differs from Japan's, gathering information before your trip is essential.

Characteristics of Switzerland's Healthcare System

Switzerland's healthcare is primarily composed of the following medical facilities:

Facility Type	Characteristics	When to Use
Private Practice (Arzt)	Appointment-based. Functions as a local family doctor	Initial care · mild symptoms
Emergency Care (Notfall)	No appointment needed. 24-hour hospital operation	Acute illness · injury
General Hospital	Advanced medical care	Hospitalization · complex symptoms
Pharmacy (Apotheke)	Sells prescription and over-the-counter medications	Prescription pickup · OTC medications
Telemedicine	Phone and video consultations	Mild symptoms · consultations

How to Use Pharmacies in Switzerland

Pharmacy Operations and Characteristics

Switzerland's pharmacies (Apotheke/Pharmacie) have the following features:

• Business Hours: Weekdays 8:00 AM–6:30 PM (varies by region), Saturdays morning only
• Evening/Holiday Service: Use "on-call pharmacies" (Notfallapotheke) for nights and holidays
• Insurance: Swiss residents have mandatory insurance; visitors pay in cash
• Language Support: Many pharmacies offer English assistance, though it is more limited in German-speaking regions

Steps to Purchase Medication at a Pharmacy

When you have a prescription:

1. Receive a prescription (Rezept/Ordonnance) from your doctor
2. Present the prescription at the pharmacy
3. The pharmacist will dispense the medication
4. Pay in cash or by card (Visa and Mastercard are standard)
5. The pharmacist will explain dosage and precautions

When you don't have a prescription (over-the-counter medications):

Explain your symptoms to the pharmacist, who will recommend an appropriate medication. Swiss pharmacists serve as a consultation resource, and for mild conditions may determine that a doctor's visit is unnecessary.

Common Over-the-Counter Medications in Switzerland

Symptom	Medication Name (Generic)	Form · Dosage	Pharmacist's Note
Headache · fever	Paracetamol	Tablets · suppositories	Equivalent to Japanese acetaminophen. Maximum 4g daily
Headache · fever · inflammation	Ibuprofen	Tablets · liquid	No prescription required. Recommended with food
Stomach pain · indigestion	Omeprazole	Tablets	Effective for heartburn and reflux symptoms
Diarrhea	Loperamide	Tablets	Note: contraindicated in infectious diarrhea
Constipation	Bisacodyl	Suppositories · tablets	Stimulant laxative. Be aware of dependency risk
Cold symptoms	Vitamin C preparations	Tablets · effervescent	"Efferalgan" and similar are established brands
Nasal congestion	Pseudoephedrine-containing	Spray · tablets	Some restrictions apply. Consult pharmacist
Skin itching	Hydrocortisone cream	Ointment	Low-potency. Recommended for insect bites

Pharmacist's Note

Swiss pharmacies actively promote the use of Generika (generic medications). It is not unusual for a pharmacist to suggest switching from a brand-name medication prescribed by a doctor to a generic equivalent. While the goal is cost reduction, the ingredients and effects are identical. If you prefer no substitution, state this clearly.

Finding Medical Facilities and Healthcare Procedures

Finding a Private Practice Doctor (Primary Care)

In Switzerland, seeing a private practice doctor (GP: General Practitioner) first is the standard approach.

How to find one:

1. Ask your hotel concierge (they can recommend English-speaking doctors)
2. Search on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for "Arzt" or "doctor"
3. Use the Swiss Medical Association website (www.fmh.ch) for doctor search
4. Contact the outpatient department through the local hospital website
5. Check the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan website (before departure)

Emergency Response

For severe illness or emergency:

• Call an ambulance: "144" (Switzerland-wide unified number)
• Go to Emergency Care (Notfall): Proceed directly to the hospital's emergency department
• English Support: Available at major hospitals in large cities (Zurich, Bern, Geneva)

For mild symptoms or after-hours:

• Use Telemedicine: 24-hour service. Apps include "TeleDoc" and "Smarter Medicine"
• On-call Pharmacy (Notfallapotheke): Open evenings and holidays. Check the list at your hotel

Information Needed for Medical Visit

Item	Description
Passport	Identification and insurance verification
Insurance Certificate	Travel insurance document (confirm cashless coverage)
Symptom Notes	Symptoms briefly written in English
Medication History	List of any medications you are taking
Allergy Information	Note any drug or food allergies

Pharmacist's Note

In Switzerland, the roles of medical care and pharmacy services are clearly defined. While pharmacists can provide symptom consultations, diagnosis and prescription are exclusively the doctor's responsibility. If you need a diagnosis, a doctor's examination is always required.

Using Travel Insurance and Medical Cost Reimbursement

Medical Cost Levels in Switzerland

Switzerland is among the world's most expensive countries for healthcare. Reference costs are as follows:

Medical Service	Estimated Cost (CHF)	Japanese Yen Equivalent (approximate)
Initial private practice visit	150–250	¥20,000–35,000
Hospital emergency care	300–500	¥40,000–70,000
CT scan	800–1,200	¥110,000–165,000
One night hospital stay	1,500–3,000	¥200,000–400,000
Pharmacy medications	5–50	¥700–7,000

Travel insurance is mandatory.

Confirming Cashless Medical Coverage

Before departure:

1. Call your travel insurance company
2. Confirm "cashless medical coverage in Switzerland"
3. Note the 24-hour support number on your insurance certificate
4. Download the list of covered medical facilities
5. Save a digital copy of your insurance certificate on your smartphone

Payment Procedures at Medical Facilities

For cashless coverage:

1. Present your insurance certificate at the reception desk
2. The facility will verify coverage with the insurance company
3. Pay only your out-of-pocket portion (or nothing)
4. Receive your receipt

If cashless coverage is not available:

1. Pay the full medical costs on-site (credit cards usually accepted)
2. Obtain your receipt and itemized medical statement
3. Submit a reimbursement claim to your insurance company after returning home

Tips for Requesting Reimbursement

• Always obtain an itemized medical bill (Rechnung)
• Verify the bill shows medical service details, treatment type, and costs
• Check for the doctor's signature and hospital stamp
• English versions are acceptable; German originals are also fine (insurance companies can handle this)

Medications to Bring from Japan and Import Regulations

Medication Import Restrictions for Switzerland

Switzerland is relatively flexible regarding medication imports, but note the following:

Medication Category	Permitted	Notes
Over-the-counter medications (cold medicine, etc.)	✓ Allowed	No prescription required. Up to 3 months' supply
Prescription medications (personal use)	✓ Allowed	An English-language prescription from your doctor is advisable
Psychotropic drugs (anti-anxiety medication, etc.)	~ Requires notification	Prior authorization from Swiss health authorities is recommended
Narcotics · dependent medications	✗ Prohibited	Absolutely do not bring these
Medical injections (insulin, etc.)	✓ Allowed	A medical necessity letter is reassuring

Pharmacist's Note

Over-the-counter medications available in Japan may be classified as prescription medications in Switzerland. For example, the stomach medication sulpiride and some nasal allergy medication components may apply. It is advisable to check with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) or the embassy regarding what you plan to bring.

Recommended Medications to Bring

For long stays or those with chronic conditions, bring the following from Japan:

• Regular medications (blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, etc.): Include English prescription copies
• General cold medicine: Reassuring to have a familiar Japanese brand
• Gastrointestinal medication (such as Seirogan): For when water doesn't agree with you
• Adhesive patches · anti-inflammatory topical medications: Rarely found in Switzerland
• Eye drops: For allergic conjunctivitis
• Moisturizing cream: For dry skin during winter stays

Medical Facilities in Major Swiss Cities

Zurich

Major Hospital:

• University Hospital Zurich: Highest standard in the country. English-language support available
• Tel: +41 44 255 11 11

Pharmacies:

• Multiple locations around the central train station. "Apotheke am Hauptbahnhof" operates 24 hours

Bern

Major Hospital:

• Inselspital, Bern University Hospital: One of Switzerland's leading hospitals
• Tel: +41 31 632 21 11

Pharmacies:

• Several in the old town. English support is limited due to the German-speaking region

Geneva

Major Hospital:

• Geneva University Hospitals: International medical institution
• Tel: +41 22 372 33 11
• English, French, and Spanish support available. Many travelers use this facility

Pharmacies:

• French-speaking region, but English support available near tourist areas

Emergency Contact Information

Japanese Embassy and Consulates in Switzerland

Facility	Telephone	Email
Embassy of Japan in Switzerland (Bern)	+41-31-300-7700	Consular Division
Consulate General in Geneva	+41-22-749-0100	Consular Division
Consulate General in Zurich	+41-43-268-6500	Consular Division

24-Hour Emergency:

• Embassy Hotline: +41-31-300-7700 (automated voice will provide emergency numbers)

Travel Insurance 24-Hour Support

Call the number listed on your insurance documents. Provide the following information:

• Your name and insurance policy number
• Your current location and symptoms
• Name of any medical facility you've already visited

Summary

• Switzerland has excellent healthcare but very high costs. Obtain travel insurance and confirm cashless medical coverage before departure
• Pharmacies function as consultation resources. For mild symptoms, consulting a pharmacist before seeing a doctor is acceptable
• Initial care begins with a private practice doctor (GP). Ask your hotel concierge or embassy for a doctor referral
• Bring regular medications from Japan with English prescriptions. Prior authorization for psychotropic drugs is recommended
• In emergencies, call "144". If concerned about language barriers, contact your travel insurance's 24-hour support line and request interpreter assistance to the medical facility
• Check the latest medical information on the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan website (both before and during your stay)
• Always keep your receipts. They are essential for travel insurance reimbursement claims after your return home