AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: A chemical long used to prevent fishmeal fires, ethoxyquin, has raised health and environmental concerns and is banned in the EU and some other countries. It has still been detected in seafood sold in the U.S., at levels below the FDA’s safety limit; another additive, BHA, is also under review. Seasonal Illness: Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health expects a flu wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV remain low, while Covid-19 cases are rising in some regions.

Medicine Trade: One year into the India-EFTA trade deal—which includes Liechtenstein—Swiss pharmaceutical companies are still seeking stronger intellectual-property protections, while the agreement’s benefits for medicines remain uncertain. Winter Infections: Switzerland’s health office expects a flu wave from mid-December. Covid cases are already rising, while flu and RSV levels remain low; RSV can be serious for young children. Food Safety: A report raises cancer concerns about BHA, an alternative to the antioxidant ethoxyquin used in fishmeal. Ethoxyquin remains permitted in some countries and has been detected in seafood imports to the US, though below the FDA safety limit.

Health Research and Pharma: India and Switzerland say they expect new joint health research projects as they deepen ties under the EFTA trade pact, which also includes Liechtenstein. Swiss pharmaceutical companies are still seeking stronger intellectual-property protections in India. Winter Infections: Switzerland’s public health office expects the flu wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV levels remain low, while Covid-19 is rising; the viruses can cause serious illness, particularly in young children.

Winter Infections: Switzerland expects its flu wave around mid-December. Covid-19 cases are already rising in some regions, while flu and RSV levels remain low; RSV can be serious for young children. Medicine Access: A year after the India-EFTA trade pact took effect, Swiss pharmaceutical companies are still seeking stronger intellectual-property protections in India, a debate that also raises questions about access to medicines. Food Safety: A chemical once used to stop fishmeal fires has raised health and environmental concerns. Researchers are also scrutinising BHA, an alternative with potential cancer risks; regulators are reassessing its use.

Food Safety: A fishmeal fire-prevention chemical, ethoxyquin, has been banned in the EU over health and environmental risks, though it still appears in some imported seafood in the US at levels below the FDA limit. Its potential replacement, BHA, is also under scrutiny over cancer concerns. Seasonal Viruses: Swiss health authorities expect flu cases to rise into a full wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV remain low, while Covid-19 is increasing in some regions; RSV and Covid can cause serious illness, particularly in young children. Medicine and Research: Switzerland and India are discussing stronger pharma cooperation, while planned joint research projects include health. Swiss pharmaceutical companies are also seeking greater intellectual-property protection under the trade pact.

Food Safety: A fire-prevention additive used in fishmeal has raised cancer concerns. Ethoxyquin is banned in the EU but has been detected in some U.S. seafood; levels reported there were below the FDA’s safety limit. Its possible replacement, BHA, is also under review for potential cancer risks. Respiratory Infections: Switzerland’s health office expects a flu wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV levels remain low for now, while Covid-19 cases are rising in some regions; both flu and RSV can cause serious illness, especially in young children. Medicine Access: A year into the Swiss-India trade deal, Swiss pharmaceutical companies are still seeking stronger intellectual-property protections—a debate that could shape the balance between drug innovation and access.

Pharma Trade: A year after the India–EFTA trade deal took effect, Swiss pharmaceutical companies are still seeking stronger intellectual-property protection in India, a debate with implications for medicine innovation and access. Winter Viruses: Switzerland’s health authorities expect flu cases to rise into a full wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV levels remain low for now, while Covid-19 is increasing in some regions.

Winter Viruses: Switzerland’s public health office expects a full flu wave around mid-December. Flu and RSV levels remain low for now, while Covid-19 cases are rising in some regions. The scale of the winter wave remains uncertain.

Rare-Disease Treatment: The European Commission has authorized Nezglyal under exceptional circumstances for boys aged 2–12 with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and brain lesions. It is the first EU-approved medicine for early intervention in the aggressive disease. Biopharma Deals: September’s deals included Telix Pharmaceuticals’ planned merger with radiopharmaceuticals company ITM, valued at up to $2.35 billion, and GSK’s purchase of a multiple-myeloma treatment candidate. Health Research: India and Switzerland say they expect to launch joint research projects in health, alongside broader cooperation in life sciences.

Rare-Disease Treatment: The European Commission has authorized Nezglyal for boys aged 2–12 with a specific early stage of cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD). It is the first EU-approved medicine for early intervention in the aggressive neurodegenerative disease, offering a new option before brain inflammation appears. The authorization is under exceptional circumstances.

Abortion Debate: Liechtenstein’s parliament narrowly backed a citizen-led initiative to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, voting 13–12. The proposal now advances the debate over access to reproductive care. Rare-Disease Treatment: The European Commission has authorized Nezglyal for boys aged 2–12 with a specific early form of cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. It is the first pharmacological option for early intervention in the aggressive disease.

Bilateral Investment Treaty Talks: India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Swiss President Guy Parmelin to push forward negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty, aiming to boost investment flows and deepen economic ties. Trade & Health-Relevant Sectors: The wider India–Switzerland push also highlights cooperation in infrastructure, technology, innovation, and supply chains, with TEPA (India–EFTA) framed as a jobs-and-investment engine. Mobility & People-to-People Links: Modi and Parmelin signed a migration and mobility partnership plus a young professionals exchange, including longer-duration visas and easier movement for students and skilled workers. EU Health Innovation in the Region: The EU granted marketing authorisation for Nezglyal for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), described as the first pharmacological option for early intervention. Policy Watch (Liechtenstein): The European Evangelical Alliance raised concerns after Liechtenstein’s parliament narrowly backed a citizen-led initiative to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks. Access to Care via Travel: DiscoverEU applications opened for 40,000 free train passes for 18-year-olds, including eligible participants from Liechtenstein.

EU Health Policy Watch: The European Evangelical Alliance is raising alarms about moves to liberalize abortion access in Andorra and Liechtenstein, including Andorra’s plan to decriminalize abortions obtained abroad and Liechtenstein’s narrowly backed proposal for abortion in the first 12 weeks. Rare Disease Treatment: The EU has granted marketing authorisation for Nezglyal for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (male, ages 2–12) with Gd-negative brain lesions—described as the first pharmacological option for early intervention in this aggressive neurodegenerative disease. Drug Pricing & Trade: The US has exempted certain specialty medicines and key ingredients from a planned 100% tariff under Section 232, with qualifying categories including orphan drugs, nuclear medicines, cell and gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates—covering origins such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Mobility & Health Workforce Links: India and Switzerland signed a migration and mobility partnership plus young professionals exchanges, with multiple-entry visas up to five years—potentially easing cross-border movement of students and skilled workers.

Trade & Mobility (India–EFTA): India and Switzerland signed a migration and mobility partnership plus four other deals, including young professionals exchanges and transport/infrastructure cooperation, while also agreeing to deepen work on defence and nuclear energy. Health & Pharma (EU approval): Neuraxpharm and Minoryx said the European Commission granted marketing authorisation for Nezglyal for early treatment of childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), described as the first EU pharmacological option for early intervention. US Drug Tariffs (Liechtenstein-linked): The US exempted select specialty medicines and ingredients from a planned 100% tariff, listing Switzerland and Liechtenstein among eligible jurisdictions; covered categories include orphan drugs, fertility treatments, cell/gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates. Local Health Policy (Abortion access): The European Evangelical Alliance raised concerns about moves to liberalize abortion laws in Andorra and Liechtenstein, including a narrowly backed Liechtenstein initiative for early-pregnancy access. Wellbeing & Costs (Athletes): Irish elite athletes described rising costs and limited funding as making high-performance sport financially unsustainable.

Trade & Mobility: India and Switzerland signed a migration and mobility partnership and agreed to expand Swiss market access for Indian exports, while also deepening cooperation on nuclear energy and defence. EFTA Link to Liechtenstein: The leaders pointed to the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), now in force since Oct 1, 2025, which includes Liechtenstein, as a driver for investment and jobs. Jobs & Investment Targets: PM Modi said the partnership aims for $100 billion in investment and 10 lakh direct jobs in India over 15 years. Pharma Tariffs—Targeted Relief: The US exempted select specialty drugs and ingredients from a planned 100% tariff, including orphan drugs, fertility treatments, cell/gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates; the eligible jurisdictions list includes Liechtenstein and Switzerland alongside India and 17 others. Healthcare Workforce: Ireland is temporarily relaxing a “50:50 rule” limiting non-EEA workers to tackle healthcare staffing shortages, affecting nursing homes, home-care, and disability services. New EU Treatment Approval: Nezglyal received EU marketing authorisation for early treatment of male childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD), described as the first pharmacological option for early intervention.

Pharma Trade & Tariffs: The US has exempted certain specialty medicines and key ingredients from a planned 100% ad valorem tariff, with India and Liechtenstein included among 20 eligible jurisdictions; the zero-tariff categories focus on rare-disease and other high-specialty treatments such as fertility drugs, cell and gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, plus related components. EU Health Innovation: The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Nezglyal under exceptional circumstances for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (male patients aged 2–12), described as the first EU pharmacological option for early intervention. Local Health Access & Staffing: Ireland is temporarily relaxing a “50:50 rule” limiting non-EEA workers to help tackle healthcare staffing shortages, with nursing homes, home-care, and disability services highlighted. Health Policy Watch: The European Evangelical Alliance raised concerns about moves to liberalize abortion access in Andorra and Liechtenstein, including a Liechtenstein parliament vote to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks. Healthcare Coverage via Trade: A separate report notes Liechtenstein is part of the EFTA bloc, where trade ties (via TEPA) are linked to growth in specialized exports.