The origins of the Cantonal Pharmacy date back to the Napoleonic Wars, when the “Cantonal Poor Pharmacy” was founded to provide medicines to the poor population in war-related emergencies. Even then, reducing healthcare costs was a key concern. The pharmacy grew throughout the 19th century and moved to the new Cantonal Hospital in Zurich in 1842, where it continued to expand its importance. The introduction of chemical remedies and new manufacturing processes in the 1890s marked an important turning point.
About us
As one of Switzerland's leading hospital pharmaceutical competence centers, ZüriPharm AG provides a wide range of services related to therapeutic products at the highest level of quality and cost-effectiveness. From patient-specific drug manufacturing to batch production in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), from drug supply to clinical pharmaceutical consulting directly at the patient's bedside.
As the hospital pharmacy for the University Hospital of Zurich and the Cantonal Hospital of Winterthur, we are responsible for the supply of medicines and all medication-related processes in these hospitals. ZüriPharm AG was formed on January 1, 2024 from the Zurich Cantonal Pharmacy and is now a public limited company owned by the University Hospital of Zurich.
History of the company or predecessor company
The history of ZüriPharm AG: From the Zurich cantonal pharmacy to a modern healthcare organization
ZüriPharm AG has its roots in the long-established Zurich Cantonal Pharmacy, which was founded in 1809. It can look back on over two centuries of exciting development – from supplying the population of Zurich during the Napoleonic Wars to its current role as a modern pharmaceutical center of excellence in Zurich’s healthcare system.
The early years (1809–1945)
Growth and modernization (1945–1985)
From 1945 onwards, the cantonal pharmacy underwent further expansion and moved its headquarters to the University Hospital of Zurich. The increasing demand for medicines and polyclinic prescriptions led to an expansion of its production capacities. In 1975, the Winterthur site was converted into Switzerland’s first modern hospital pharmacy. Various construction expansion projects were planned in Zurich, but only some of them were realized. Space remained at a premium.
A new chapter and challenges (1985–2009)
From 1985 onwards, the cantonal pharmacy focused on new technologies and experienced accelerated development. A referendum on a new building in the city of Zurich failed. In 1993, the cantonal pharmacy moved to new premises on Spöndlistrasse. In 2001-2002, the Winterthur site was renovated to meet new standards. The challenge of a global pandemic in 2009, triggered by the A/H1N1 virus, presented the pharmacy with an enormous logistical task. Within a very short time, the cantonal pharmacy organized the distribution of vaccines and demonstrated its key role in the healthcare system.
The reorientation: ZüriPharm AG (2010–2024)
2010 marked a turning point: the Cantonal Therapeutic Products Control Authority and the Cantonal Pharmacy were separated organizationally, and a new management team took over. The “Development Plan 2012+” for strategic orientation was adopted.
A decisive moment followed in 2017 when the new building for the Cantonal Pharmacy in Schlieren was successfully completed, thereby fulfilling the regulatory requirements that had been in place for years. The modern location was characterized by a highly flexible, partially automated GMP infrastructure, which was honored with the international “Facility of the Year Award” in 2019. In 2020, shortly after the move to Schlieren was completed, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shaped the next few years of the cantonal pharmacy and prevented further operational development. The cantonal pharmacy ensured the supply of protective equipment to more than 7,000 institutions in the Zurich healthcare system and later took responsibility for the distribution of more than 3.5 million vaccine doses. After years of political discussions and planning, the Zurich Cantonal Council decided in 2023 to relocate the cantonal pharmacy outside the canton and convert it into ZüriPharm AG, a public limited company that will henceforth operate as an independent entity owned by the University Hospital.
Future as ZüriPharm AG
Since January 1, 2024, ZüriPharm AG has been continuing the legacy of the Zurich Cantonal Pharmacy. As part of the process of becoming independent, a new strategy, vision, mission, and values have been determined. These define that, in addition to its existing areas of activity, the company also wants to offer its expertise in pharmaceutical production, analysis, development, and clinical trial supply to external customers.
As a pharmaceutical competence center, ZüriPharm remains an indispensable part of Zurich’s healthcare system. Under its new name, ZüriPharm will not only be active in the supply and manufacture of medicines as the hospital pharmacy of the University Hospital of Zurich and the Cantonal Hospital of Winterthur, but will also continue to perform important tasks in the area of pandemic prevention and management.
This restructuring marks the end of a chapter in the history of Switzerland’s oldest hospital pharmacy – but ZüriPharm AG will continue to play a key role for the population and healthcare system of Zurich.
Vision, Mission & Values
- We are dedicated to turning pharmaceutical visions into reality.
- We act as bridge builders, making scientific discoveries accessible to patients in the form of medicines.
- We are regionally based and operate throughout Switzerland.
- We work every day to improve patients’ quality of life.
- As a center of pharmaceutical excellence, we place optimal drug therapy for patients at the heart of everything we do.
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