Health agreement and EU4Health
¶ Health agreement and EU4Health
Chapter 2.13 of the dispatch (pp. 960-986) governs the new cooperation agreement on health. Unlike internal market agreements, this is a cooperation agreement - it is not about market access but about protection against cross-border health threats.
¶ Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that Switzerland depends on cooperation with the EU in cross-border health crises. The health agreement gives Switzerland access to the EU4Health programme (EUR 5.3 bn), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority HERA.
¶ Agreement type: cooperation rather than internal market
| Feature | Internal market agreement | Health cooperation agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Market access | Cooperation |
| Legal adoption | Dynamic | Voluntary |
| Dispute settlement | CJEU role | Consultation |
| Example | Electricity, food | Health |
¶ EU4Health programme
The EU4Health programme (2021-2027) is the largest EU health programme ever:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Budget | EUR 5.3 bn |
| Duration | 2021-2027 |
| Priorities | Crisis preparedness, health promotion, digital health |
| Swiss participation | Full association |
Programme priorities:
- Crisis preparedness and response: pandemic plans, medical countermeasures, strategic reserves
- Health promotion: prevention of chronic diseases, mental health
- Digital health: European Health Data Space, interoperability
- Pharmaceuticals: shortage management, access to innovative therapies
¶ ECDC - European Centre for Disease Control
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm is the EU's central authority for communicable diseases. Swiss access includes:
- Epidemiological surveillance: real-time data on infectious diseases in Europe
- Rapid alerts: Rapid Risk Assessments for new threats
- Scientific advice: expertise on vaccination strategies, antimicrobial resistance
- Crisis deployments: participation in EU response teams during outbreaks
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Switzerland had no formal access to ECDC and relied on informal channels.
¶ HERA - Health Emergency Authority
The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) was established in 2021 as a lesson from the pandemic. It coordinates:
- Medical countermeasures: joint procurement of vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics
- Strategic reserves: EU-wide stockpiles for emergencies
- Research funding: development of new technologies against threats
- Crisis mode: rapid decision-making processes during pandemics
¶ Cross-border health threats
The agreement specifically addresses:
- Pandemics: coordinated response to new pathogens
- Antimicrobial resistance: joint strategy against multi-resistant germs
- Chemical threats: CBRN protection (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear)
- Climate-related risks: heatwaves, vector-borne diseases (e.g. tiger mosquito)
¶ Prevention and health promotion
The agreement also covers cooperation in:
- Tobacco prevention: harmonisation of advertising restrictions
- Alcohol policy: evidence-based prevention measures
- Drug prevention: exchange of best practices
- Nutrition: joint strategies against obesity
¶ Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
Cooperation in Health Technology Assessment enables:
- Joint evaluation of new medicines and medical devices
- Avoiding duplication in clinical assessments
- Faster access to innovative therapies
- Cost containment through coordinated price negotiations
¶ Key points
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement type | Cooperation agreement (not internal market) |
| EU4Health budget | EUR 5.3 bn (2021-2027) |
| ECDC access | Yes (epidemiology, rapid alert) |
| HERA access | Yes (emergency preparedness, procurement) |
| Legal adoption | Voluntary (cooperation) |
| COVID lesson | Formal access instead of informal channels |
¶ References
- Dispatch of the Federal Council on the Switzerland-EU package, chapter 2.13 (pp. 960-986), FedGaz 2025
- EU4Health Programme, Regulation (EU) 2021/522
- ECDC: Annual Report 2024
- HERA: Preparedness and Response Plan 2025