Switzerland · Swissmedic · Generics
Review target
330 days
official guidance
Legal time limit
-
Not published
Steps
8
9 requirements
Application fee
CHF 15,000
2026
A generic is authorized in a simplified procedure. Its indication, form, strength, route and dosage, and its quality, efficacy and safety, are all based on a reference product already authorized in Switzerland. Efficacy and safety are usually shown through therapeutic equivalence or bioavailability studies. Copies of medicines with a known active substance once the reference product's data protection has ended or its holder agrees.
The official review target is 330 days (official guidance). Time the applicant takes to answer questions (clock stops) is not counted. Targets are not actual review times.
The new authorization, known active substance without innovation is CHF 15,000 for 2026.
1. Submit the application; 2. Formal control and technical validation (30 days); 3. Applicant corrects formal gaps (clock stopped) (60 days); 4. Evaluation phase I (120 days); 5. Applicant answers the list of questions (clock stopped) (90 days); 6. Evaluation phase II and preliminary decision (90 days); 7. Applicant replies to the preliminary decision (clock stopped) (60 days); 8. Labeling review and official decision (90 days).
Outcome: Authorization for five years, renewable. Valid for 5 years.
Legal basis: Therapeutic Products Act (HMG) Articles 12, 14 and 14a; Ordinance on Simplified Authorisation (VAZV) Articles 12 to 14
Each box is one step; arrows show the order. Dashed boxes happen only in some cases; the orange arrows go back (for example after questions).
About 480 days end to end with the official step targets, of which up to 210 days are clock stops (time the applicant uses to answer). Targets, not actual times.
In order, with the official target for each step
What the applicant must provide or meet
Targets, not actual review times
| Review targetofficial guidance. Official target for agency time only, counted in calendar days. Time the applicant takes to answer is not counted. Actual review times can differ. The maximum total, including applicant time, is 540 days. A faster route exists when the generic is already authorized in a comparable country. | 330 days |
Official amounts in the local currency
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| New authorization, known active substance without innovationApplication · 2026 · The fee is 60 percent lower when the application is handled under the foreign-authorization procedure (Article 13). | CHF 15,000 |
Other routes in Switzerland: Ordinary authorization of a medicine with a new active substance, Simplified authorization of a known active substance with innovation, Authorization based on a foreign authorization (Article 13 procedure), Fast-track authorization procedure, Procedure with prior notification (20 percent shorter review for a double fee), Temporary authorization (incomplete data), Orphan drug status (important medicine for a rare disease), Simplified authorization for active substances used for ten years in the EU or EFTA, Simplified authorization for long-used non-prescription medicines, Non-prescription status: dispensing category and switch, Simplified authorization of herbal and complementary medicines, Simplified authorization for a parallel import, Temporary permit for use outside clinical trials or limited marketing, Pediatric investigation plan and pediatric incentives. See all routes on the Switzerland page or explore them in the Regulatory section.
Not legal or regulatory advice. Check the current official rules before you act. This summary was checked against the official laws, regulations and regulator guidance on October 3, 2026 (21 facts checked). Parts of the approvals data are official open data reused under open licences. Data sources.