Protection against designer drugs: Further psychoactive substances prohibited
Bern, 13.03.2026 — New synthetic drugs can harbour considerable health risks – consumers cannot estimate the risks. To combat these designer drugs effectively, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is adding further substances to the Narcotics List Ordinance with effect from 13 March 2026. This makes these substances subject to the Narcotics Act; their manufacture, trade and use are illegal.
The collective term “designer drugs” covers synthetic substances with different effects that are continually being chemically modified in the lab. In some cases, suppliers also market them as “research chemicals” or “legal highs”. As there are few established findings on their toxicity, addiction potential or interactions, these substances constitute a significant health risk.
With effect from 13 March 2026, the FDHA is making further new psychoactive substances equivalent to narcotics. From now on, their manufacture, trade and use will be illegal and subject to penalties under the Narcotics Act. By regularly adding to the Narcotics List, the authorities can stem the abuse of new substances early on. The prohibition should also prevent Switzerland becoming a transshipment centre for the trade in designer drugs.
The list has been updated at the request of Swissmedic, the Swiss agency for Therapeutic Products. Together with national and international partner authorities, Swissmedic monitors new synthetic substances and substance classes on an ongoing basis and assesses whether they are being abused. New substances have been added to List E (“Raw materials and products with suspected narcotic-like effects”) since December 2011; the list now includes 320 individual substances and substance groups.
Links
Narcotics List Ordinance (NarcLO-FDHA, SR 812.121.11)
https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/de