News & Media
2021-05-24
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA is updating the procedure of the online identification using the NFC verification by scanning the chip embedded in biometric identity documents.
- Swiss Law Firm
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- Smuggling: illegal inflow of medicinal products in Switzerland
2020-03-12 |
News & Media
Smuggling: illegal inflow of medicinal products in Switzerland
In 2019, Swissmedic (the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products), working together with the Federal Customs Administration of Switzerland (FCA), carried out twice as many seizures of illegally imported drugs - 7,781. This became possible by applying a simplified procedure to unlawful imports of certain medicines and active substances, in particular:
• stimulants of erection;
• narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
New distribution channels and high seizuresIn 2019 the distributing channels of counterfeit and substandard medicines changed. Indian-made products often shipped through hubs in Poland, Singapore, and the UK. Unsuitable transit routes affect the stability and effectiveness of medications. High humidity and ambient temperature during transportation and storage of medicines pose an additional danger to human health.
The introduction of a simplified procedure has led to a sharp increase in the number of seized consignments.
The origin of illegal imports by country/regionIndia - 42.9%;
Eastern Europe (primarily Poland) - 26.8%;
Asia (except India, primarily Singapore) - 17.8%;
Western Europe (mainly Great Britain and Germany) - 11.7%
Other countries - 0.8%.
Confiscated ItemsErection stimulants - 91.3%;
Other prescription drugs - 3.8%;
Hypnotics and tranquilizers - 2.7%;
Drugs for weight loss - 0.2%;
Other - 2.0%.
Acquisition of drugs through uncontrolled channels poses a serious health risk. Deliveries often go without packaging, product information (dosage, restrictions on use, or possible side effects). Only doctors or pharmacists can decide whether to use a prescription drug.
Starting January 1, 2019, Swissmedic prosecutes drug offenders (in the event of a violation of the Law on Therapeutic Products) and the Federal Customs Administration (regarding violation of VAT and customs regulations).
Source: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/me...
Legal disclaimer. This article does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The article should be used for informational purposes only.
News & Media
2021-04-07
The publishing of this case report confirms FINMA's accountability obligations regarding its enforcement activities. The case report includes anonymized and generalized cases which were concluded with a court decision.
News & Media
2021-04-06
Bern, April 04, 2021 – The Swiss Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) took an active role in 280 cases of “Swissness” excessive use in 2020. The IPI controls the use of the Swiss national emblem and destroys such goods during the customs examination. Now private and high officials start working together to control the “Swissness” fare dodger abroad.
News & Media
2020-12-15
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA recommends that the supervised parties affected by the LIBOR replacement sign the new Fallback Protocol of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) in the shortest time possible.
