Illegal imports of pharmaceuticals into Switzerland are on the rise, with a notable shift in the types of drugs being smuggled and their origins, according to data released by Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products. In 2025, authorities processed 6,647 illegal pharmaceutical imports, a figure that remains stable compared to previous years, but reveals significant changes in product trends and source countries.
Even as erectile dysfunction medications were once the dominant category, accounting for 79 percent of intercepted packages in 2022, their share has decreased to 41 percent in 2025. Simultaneously, there has been a surge in the importation of products targeting hair loss, increasing from 2 percent in 2023 to 19 percent two years later. This trend reflects a growing demand for lifestyle and aesthetic treatments, fueled in part by social media, according to Thomas Kündig, Director of the Dermatology Clinic at the University Hospital of Zurich.
“The lifestyle, beauty, and anti-aging sector is booming, likely due to social media – and having a full head of hair is clearly an important criterion,” Kündig stated.
Two key active ingredients used in hair loss treatments, finasteride and minoxidil, are driving the increase in illegal imports. Finasteride, prescribed only for men, blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that causes hair follicle shrinkage. Though, the University Hospital of Zurich is becoming increasingly reluctant to prescribe finasteride due to potential side effects, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, which, recent research suggests, may persist even after treatment is discontinued – a condition known as Post-Finasterid Syndrome.
The rise in illegal imports of minoxidil, originally developed as a blood pressure medication, is even more pronounced. Minoxidil is used by both men and women and has been shown to increase hair density by approximately 10 percent in clinical studies, with around 80 percent of users reporting satisfaction. However, minoxidil is not covered by basic Swiss health insurance, as baldness is generally considered an aesthetic rather than a medical issue. The annual cost of treatment ranges from 400 to 500 Swiss francs, making it more affordable to purchase from pharmacies in neighboring countries like France and Germany, but prompting some to seek cheaper, and potentially dangerous, alternatives online.
Swissmedic strongly advises against purchasing low-cost copies of minoxidil from Indian or Chinese manufacturers, warning that the products may contain incorrect dosages or even harmful substances. Overdoses of minoxidil can cause unwanted side effects, such as the development of facial hair in women. Authorities also caution that minoxidil may initially worsen hair loss before showing positive results, and that without medical supervision, patients may discontinue treatment prematurely.
Alex Josty, a spokesperson for Swissmedic, explained that many Swiss citizens who import minoxidil are unaware that it is classified as a pharmaceutical product and are therefore unaware of the associated risks and side effects. “Many believe they are simply cosmetic products and are not aware of the risks, limitations, and side effects,” Josty said.
The potential consequences of unregulated minoxidil apply extend beyond human health. Swissmedic cited a study from Spain detailing cases of infants suffering from “werewolf syndrome” – excessive hair growth on the face, legs, or back – after their parents used minoxidil and inadvertently exposed them to the medication. Even more concerning, even small amounts of minoxidil ingested by cats can cause severe poisoning, with several documented cases resulting in fatalities.
Adding to the complexity, Swiss authorities have observed a significant increase in the origin of illegal pharmaceutical shipments from within the European Union, now accounting for 40 percent of all intercepted packages, up from 9 percent in 2022. The majority of these shipments originate in France and Germany. Swissmedic attributes this increase to a new form of online fraud, where criminal networks are hacking legitimate Swiss websites and inserting links to illicit online pharmacies. In 64 cases, Swissmedic alerted domain owners, allowing them to restore their websites to a legal state.
