The pharmaceutical industry is a major driver of growth and employment in Switzerland. However, pressure from the US and the rise of new players could shuffle the deck and challenge its position on the international stage. These figures and charts illustrate the significance of this flagship Swiss industry. 1. A pillar of the Swiss economy In 2023, nearly 350 companies were active in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland, according to the Federal Statistical Office. These included global pharma heavyweights under Swiss control, such as Novartis, Roche and Sandoz. But they also included the Swiss subsidiaries of their foreign competitors, such as Pfizer, Takeda and AstraZeneca. More than 56,000 people currently work in the pharma industry, mainly at large multinationals. The sector also employs around 250,000 people indirectly, according to a 2024 study by the BAK economic research institute commissioned by Interpharma, the industry’s umbrella organisation. After a quarter of a …