News
Transferability of a HTA-Report prepared by IQWiG into Swiss context – an analysis based on the examble of the use of Ezetimib for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia
The report points out that the reports by the IQWiG can be used as a basis for the preparation of the «Medical Effects» section in the reports by the Swiss Medical Board, when certain preconditions are fulfilled. The section on costs, cost effectiveness, ethical and legal considerations, and the overall assessment and recommendations require additional attention.
Media release of the Swiss Medical Board (in German) PDF
The SAMS calls for entries in the field of Neurosciences and Health Services Research
The Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences announces the Théodore-Ott-Prize 2012 in the field of Neurosciences (award for an outstanding scientific life's work) and the Robert-Bing-Prize 2012 to reward young researchers in the field of Neuosciences. Deadline for application submission is August 31, 2012.
In addition, the second call for the new funding programme in Health Services Research is launched. Deadline for submission is September 1, 2012. New: the requests must be submitted to the SAMS (electronically to research@samw.ch).
Further information is available on the individual websites that can be entered via http://www.samw.ch/en/News/Calls.html
Benefits and value of medical interventions
The study describes the methods for evaluating medical interventions and their application in different countries along with their advantages and disadvantages. It summarises the possible value of such methods for application in Switzerland. The study was presented on 29 March 2012 during a public conference in Berne.
Problems with physician-assisted suicide
«Health Services Research» funding programme launched by the Bangerter-Stiftung and the SAMS
Health services research seeks to bridge the gap between biomedical/clinical research on the one hand and medical interventions performed under everyday conditions on the other; the subject of this field of research is, as it were, the «last mile» to the patient. Health services research is becoming increasingly important at the international level. With the aid of this funding programme, the Bangerter-Stiftung and the SAMS hope that health services research will also become more widely established in Switzerland.
To this end, the Bangerter-Stiftung is making available around CHF 1 million per year for the period 2012–2016.
Media release PDF
Change of Management at the Swiss Clinical Trial Organisation (SCTO)
The SCTO is the umbrella organisation of clinical research in Switzerland. The first Managing Director of the SCTO, Dr Claudia Weiss, has resigned her post by the end of October 2011 in order to take up new career challenges.
As her successor, the SCTO Steering Board has appointed pharmacist and experienced leadership personality Mrs Annette Magnin. Holding a leading role within a contract research organisation over many years, Mrs Magnin has gained profound knowledge of operative clinical research and training of clinical professionals. Besides, she is active in various functional and political committees. Mrs Annette Magnin is married and mother of a 11 year old daughter. She is expected to start in her new role by February 1st, 2012. In the meantime, Dr Katrin Crameri, Head of Department Science and Research at the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS), is taking over the executive duties of the SCTO.
Further information concerning the SCTO is available under www.scto.ch/en
Pre-implementation Genetic Diagnosis: The Academies consider the law draft a step in the right direction
There are considerable improvements identifiable versus the first draft in 2009. Moreover, the proposed amendment of Article 119 of the Federal Constitution is significant; the relevant framework conditions to implement PGD in Switzerland are thereby accomplished.
Press release (in German) PDF
Position statement (in German) PDF
New «Advance directive» of the FMH and the SAMS
EASAC report on the occasion of the World Health Day 2011
The European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) have recently published a report on this topic: «European public health and innovation policy for infectious disease - the view from EASAC».
The EASAC is an umbrella organisation of the scietific academies in Europe; the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences are also a member of the EASAC.
The report and the corresponding press release can be downloaded here:
Decisions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation:
Medical-ethical guidelines and recommendations
New position paper of the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation: The dignity of animals and the evaluation of interests in the Swiss Animal Protection Act
The purpose of the Swiss Animal Protection Act of 16 December 2005 is to protect not just the welfare but also the dignity of animals.
Press release (only available in german or french)
Position paper (english version) PDF
Position paper (german version) PDF
Position paper (french version) PDF
«Research with Human Subjects» - A manual for general practice PDF
In the opinion of the SAMS, the present efforts of the Federal Government to draw up a Constitutional Article and a corresponding Law on Research in Human Subjects are very much to be welcomed. In connection with this new legislation, the SAMS has again intensively investigated the basic legal and ethical conditions concerning research with human subjects, and arrived at the conclusion that the guidelines «Research Studies in Human Subjects» have been superseded by the development in the legislation, and consequently withdrew these guidelines in November 2008. They were however not withdrawn without replacement and they are in fact replaced by this present Manual on Research with Human Subjects. In accordance with SAMS tradition, this manual is intended to provide researchers and members of research ethics committees with support in their various demanding activities.
«Research with Human Subjects» - A manual for general practice PDF (647 KB)
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences, Petersplatz 13,