CH EPL (R5)
1.0.1 - trial-use Switzerland flag

CH EPL (R5), published by Federal Office of Public Health FOPH. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 1.0.1 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/bag-epl/bag-epl-fhir/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

FOPH ePL

The Elektronische Plattform Leistungen (ePL) is a major digital transformation project initiated by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in Switzerland to modernise how key healthcare benefit lists and processes are managed, published, and exchanged electronically. It forms part of the broader DigiSanté programme to enhance digitalisation across the Swiss healthcare system.

Official FOPH ePL project page: https://www.bag.admin.ch/de/elektronische-plattform-leistungen-epl

Project Purpose and Scope

The ePL platform will replace existing, outdated technologies used to publish and manage Switzerland’s:

  • Specialities List (SL) – Spezialitätenliste (SL)
  • Congenital Defects Specialities List – Geburtsgebrechen‑Spezialitätenliste (GGSL)
  • Medicines and Devices List – Mittel und Gegenständeliste (MiGeL)

The goal is to make these lists available in a digital, structured, and interoperable form – accessible both through public browsing and via secure electronic interfaces (APIs). The platform will support both public access to published list data and protected workflows for application submission, review, and communication with stakeholders.

Digitalisation and Modernisation

Public and Protected Areas

  • The public area will allow users to view and search published list data similar to the current web portals.
  • The protected area will enable regulated users (e.g., marketing authorisation holders) to submit applications, view review status, and interact directly with BAG within a controlled environment.

APIs and Machine‑Readable Data

External parties such as health insurers will be able to retrieve data via electronic interfaces (APIs), facilitating integration into billing, payment, and reporting systems.

Modern Technology and Standards

  • The old system will be replaced with a modern digital platform that provides enhanced search and filtering capabilities, and a contemporary user experience.
  • Instead of static Excel or XML downloads, the ePL will offer structured electronic data exchange through APIs.
  • The API specifications are based on IDMP (Identification of Medicinal Products) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards, aligning with international interoperability frameworks and enabling future integration with regulatory and clinical systems.

Project Timeline

The ePL is being rolled out over several years:

  • 2025: Progressive launch begins with the triennial review process and publication of the SL on the new platform.
  • mid 2026: Full digitalisation of SL publication processes is expected to be completed.
  • 2026–2027: The scope will expand further to include MiGeL and the SL listing application process.

Benefits and User Groups

For Marketing Authorisation Holders

  • Direct access to submit and track applications for inclusion in the SL and GGSL.
  • A unified platform enabling status tracking and communication with FOPH.
  • Planned ability to auto‑import product master data from Swissmedic to reduce manual data entry.

For Health Insurers

  • Electronic access to structured list data that is relevant for billing and reimbursement.

For Software Vendors and Developers

  • API access to structured and machine‑readable data (JSON/XML) based on modern interoperability standards (IDMP/FHIR), enabling advanced system integration.

Relevance to Swiss Healthcare Digitalisation

The ePL project accelerates Switzerland’s shift from manual and document‑centric processes toward digital, standards‑based data exchange. It lays the groundwork for:

  • Structured medicinal product data publication and retrieval
  • Standardised application workflows
  • APIs aligned with international mechanisms such as IDMP/FHIR that support interoperability across regulatory, clinical, and insurer systems.

The ePL is part of the broader DigiSanté programme, which seeks to modernise healthcare IT infrastructure and data processes nationwide.

Summary

  • The Elektronische Plattform Leistungen (ePL) is a major Swiss digital transformation project led by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
  • It will provide a digital platform for publishing and managing key healthcare lists such as the SL, GGSL, and MiGeL.
  • The platform will offer both public data access and secure workflows via modern APIs.
  • API specifications are designed to follow IDMP & FHIR standards, ensuring structured, interoperable data exchange.
  • Progressive deployment started in 2025, with full implementation expected by 2027.

For more information, see the official specification: