Swiss pharma exports to Russia stay steady amid criticism over Ukraine war

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - More than three and a half years after Russia launched its war in Ukraine, Switzerland's pharmaceutical exports to Russia have remained largely unchanged, according to figures cited by local media on Tuesday.

Data from the Federal Customs and Border Security Service showed that in 2024, Swiss pharmaceutical firms exported medicines worth around 1.8 billion Swiss francs ($2 billion) to Russia, the Swissinfo reported, which is only slightly below the levels of the previous two years and comparable to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early 2025 data suggests similar trends. While Russia accounts for less than 2% of Switzerland's overall pharmaceutical exports, medicines now represent more than 80% of Swiss goods sent to Russia, up from about 50% before the war began in February 2022.

Pharmaceutical exports remain exempt from Swiss and EU sanctions targeting trade, finance, and energy, as medical supplies are considered humanitarian goods.

Swiss NGO Public Eye has called on drug makers to pull out of Russia entirely, arguing that continued sales send the wrong signal.

"Following the tightening of sanctions by Western countries against Russia, Swiss pharmaceutical companies should also withdraw from Russia," said spokesperson Oliver Classen said. "There are sufficient alternatives for the indispensable drugs that Roche or Novartis supply to Russia."

Major firms have defended their stance, saying they have an ethical duty to patients. Novartis said it is committed to ensuring global access to medicines, while Roche noted that its Russian operations have been "significantly restricted." Sandoz, for its part, defended its exports by saying that "about half of our products in Russia are on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines."