3 to our new Board members: Florian Schick President Merck Switzerland

May we ask you to briefly introduce yourself and tell us a little about your current position in your company?

Born and raised in Germany, I have been lucky enough to live and work in seven different countries, including the United States, Mexico and Spain. I currently live in Immensee (canton Schwyz) with my wife and our three-year-old son who keeps us on our toes! Having exposure to so many cultures has profoundly shaped my personal and professional outlook, particularly my passion for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

I currently serve as President of Merck Switzerland, chairing the Swiss Country Council (board of site leads), overseeing 2’600+ employees across nine sites. I assumed the role in 2022 and have been in the company for over a decade in various local and global commercial leadership roles. Prior I started my career at Pfizer and McKinsey.

What do you want to focus on in your role as a board member of Interpharma?

As board member of Interpharma, I believe collaboration with all stakeholders from various sectors is essential for the development of a future-oriented and sustainable healthcare system in Switzerland. This involves fostering dialogue and cooperation among various actors, including industry, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patient advocates. Together we can work towards innovative solutions and policies that will benefit the healthcare system, ensuring its sustainability and responsiveness to the evolving needs of patients and society.

First. Our primary goal is to ensure equal and rapid access to cutting-edge therapies for all patients. I believe this is a fundamental right, and it’s crucial we work jointly towards breaking down barriers that prevent access to care.

Second. Leveraging digital solutions and data analytics is also a key topic we are pursuing. There is huge potential to transform the healthcare landscape through technology. At Merck, we are developing new digital health solutions that support the patient journey. It’s so much more than treatment — it’s about understanding how patients live with a disease and finding ‘beyond-the-pill’ solutions. One example is adherence to treatment. Digital medical devices allow patients and carers to monitor and dispense treatments and have been instrumental to improving efficacy.

Third. Stable relationships with the European Union. As a global science & technology company with six production sites in Switzerland and an export volume of around six billion Euros in over 140 countries, securing the advancement of the bilateral path is crucial for the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland. Switzerland must remain competitive and it is important to secure direct access to the EU market.

How important is Switzerland as a pharmaceutical location for your company? Where and how can Switzerland as a pharmaceutical country improve further and how should the framework conditions be adapted?

Headquartered in Darmstadt (Germany), Switzerland is a strategic market for us and an important hub to the international markets. Merck has maintained a strong position in Switzerland since 1929. Today, Switzerland is a key location for R&D and is the Merck’s Group’s prime hub for the development and manufacturing of medicines.

Beyond Merck, Switzerland’s role as a pharmaceutical hub is crucial for the broader industry. The sector accounts for over 5% of Switzerland’s GDP and employs around 46’000 people thanks to a robust ecosystem that includes top universities, multinational companies, and innovative start-ups – all of which make it an ideal location for talent acquisition and innovation. However, challenges such as strained relations with the EU, rising healthcare costs, and slow digital transformation pose risks to Switzerland’s standing. It needs to catch up on digitalization if it wants to keep its competitive edge. A cohesive data ecosystem with a robust legal framework and collaboration among all stakeholders is essential for the way forward. Switzerland must strive to lead in this domain to secure its future as a premier location for pharmaceutical research and innovation. Through continued investments and initiatives, Merck remains committed to contributing to and benefiting from Switzerland’s continued success and position at the forefront of healthcare innovation.