Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Click on the questions to view the answers.
- What is the Leistungsorientierte Abgeltung (LOA)?
The Apothekentarif LOA determines which pharmaceutical services provided by pharmacists in Switzerland are reimbursed by compulsory health insurance (OKP). This tariff was negotiated between the Association of Swiss Health Insurers prio.swiss and the Swiss Pharmacists Association pharmaSuisse and approved by the Federal Council.
From 01.01.2026, the new LOA V tariff will apply. The new tariff is more transparent and better reflects actual costs without generating additional expenses in the healthcare system. All important changes can be found in this flyer.
- What is the LOA tariff "Sicherheits-Check Medikament"?
As part of the Sicherheits-Check Medikament, the pharmacist reviews the prescription: Are there any risks? Are there any contradictions or interactions? Is the dosage correct? How and when should the medication be taken? What is the appropriate package size? Four eyes in the pharmacy team review the prescription. If necessary, the pharmacist consults with the prescribing doctor and provides you with information to ensure that the medications are effective.
With LOA V, instead of the previous medication check, four individual checks are billed according to dispensing category A/B and the distinction between new and existing medication. The reimbursement is more cost-effective, provides you with greater transparency and, in most cases, reduces costs compared to the previous system:
- CHF 5.20 Safety check for medication when obtaining medication in dispensing category A for the first time.
- CHF 4.25 Safety check for medication when obtaining medication in dispensing category A that has already been obtained.
- CHF 4.05 safety check for medications when obtaining category B medications for the first time.
- CHF 2.05 safety check for medications when obtaining category B medications that have already been obtained.
Further information can be found on the PharmaSuisse website.
- What is the LOA tariff "Sicherheits-Check Patient"?
As part of the Sicherheits-Check Patient, the pharmacist ensures that the prescribed medications are compatible with your existing medications. They check for any interactions and incompatibilities. For this purpose, we maintain a patient file in which your medications are recorded. This gives us an overview of your medications, even if you are being treated by different doctors.The Sicherheits-Check Patient amounts to 3.95 CHF per doctor per day, regardless of the number of packages.
Further information can be found on the PharmaSuisse website.
- What is the LOA tariff "Neuerfassung und Aktualisierung Patientendaten"?
On the one hand, the tariff Neuerfassung und Aktualisierung Patientendaten covers the cost of creating a patient file for a new patient. On the other hand, it covers the updating of data for an existing patient, provided that they have not purchased any LOA-liable medication from the same pharmacy for more than 365 days. The tariff Neuerfassung und Aktualisierung Patientendaten amounts to 1.15 CHF.
Further information can be found on the PharmaSuisse website.
- What is the LOA tariff "Substitution"?
The tariff Substitution is charged when an original product or reference product subject to LOA with a 40% co-payment is replaced by a lower priced generic or biosimilar. The tariff of substitution aims to promote more economical generic drugs and biosimilars. Charging is only possible for the first substitution (exception: change from a small to a large pack). We do not carry out substitution if you do not want generics or biosimilars, if your doctor explicitly requests the original preparation or reference product on the prescription, or in rare cases where the medicine should not be substituted. The tariff amounts to 40% of the price difference between the original preparation resp. reference product and the generic drug resp. biosimilar, with a maximum of CHF 40.
- What is the LOA tariff "Anwendungserklärung"?
The tariff item Anwendungserklärung covers all expenditure for detailed instruction when the following medicines are obtained for the first time:
- Medicines for inhalation, e.g. for asthma or COPD.
- All injections administered by the patient themselves.
- Certain potent medicines for topical application.
The tariff Anwendungserklärung amounts to 3.90 CHF.
Further information can be found on the PharmaSuisse website.
- Can I opt out of LOA tariffs?
With the exception of the application instructions, it is not possible to waive LOA tariffs. According to the law, checking and advising are part of a pharmacist's professional duties. Pharmacies are liable for any mistakes made when dispensing medicines. Plus, these checks are a proven way to cut healthcare costs and improve the quality of care.
- How many packs of a medicine can I obtain with a repeat prescription?
In accordance with our internal guidelines, we dispense medication packages for a maximum period of three months. These guidelines are based on the legally binding collective agreement between the Pharmacists' Association and the health insurance companies, as well as the Regeln der guten Abgabepraxis der Kantonsapothekervereinigung. They aim to reduce the waste of medication and thus ease the burden on health insurance companies.
- Can I return or exchange products purchased at the Sonnen-Apotheke Köniz?
Depending on the situation, a distinction is made between the following cases:
- Warranty case:
Defective products may be exchanged for a replacement item, provided that the defect was not caused by improper storage, incorrect handling, or use by the customer. - No right of return in the event of a wrong purchase:
An exchange or return of correctly dispensed, non-defective products due to a wrong purchase, change of mind, or non-use by the customer is excluded.
- Warranty case:
- Can I hand in expired medicines for disposal at the Sonnen-Apotheke Köniz?
You can hand in medicines without their outer packaging and package inserts, as well as syringes and needles, in secure packaging for disposal. On request, we also dispose of small quantities of chemicals. We do not dispose of cosmetics, food supplements or other residual waste.
- What are the order times for a product that I pick up at the Sonnen-Apotheke Köniz?
If the product is in stock, it may be collected at the time specified by the responsible healthcare professional.
If we need to order the product and it is available, the following generally applies:
- If you order the product before 11:45 a.m., it will be ready for collection on the same day from 4:00 p.m. (Saturdays from 3:45 p.m.).
- If you order after 11:45 a.m., it will be ready for collection the next day from 9:00 a.m.
Please note that direct orders, imports and formula magistralis preparations have longer delivery times. We will inform you by phone as soon as these products arrive at our pharmacy.
Please use our contact form to order a product.
- What are the order times for products that I receive by the home delivery service?
If we have the product in stock and you order it before noon (12:00), you will usually receive it on the same day between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Orders placed after noon (12:00) will be delivered the next day.
If we need to order the product and it is available, you will usually receive it the next day between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Please note that direct orders, imports and formula magistralis preparations have longer delivery times.
Short-notice adjustments or interruptions of the home delivery service due to staffing availability are expressly reserved. There is no legal entitlement to the home delivery service.
Please use our contact form to order a product.
- What are the benefits of the Sonnen-Apotheke Köniz loyalty card?
With the loyalty card, you earn one point per CHF spent on non-prescription medicines. You receive 10 points per CHF spent on Klorane®, Avène®, Ducray® and Louis Widmer® dermocosmetics. You also earn 25 points per prescription redeemed. For every 500 points, you will receive a digital voucher worth 5 CHF, which you can redeem when purchasing non-prescription products or services.
- Will my medication be automatically prepared for me when my doctor sends a new prescription to Sonnen-Apotheke Köniz?
No. We only prepare medication for pick-up if this is explicitly stated in the email.
- Under what circumstances does Sonnen-Apotheke dispense medication prior to a prescription?
Prior dispensing (Vorbezug) refers to the dispensing of a medicine that is to be billed to the health insurance without there being a valid prescription at the moment. Prior dispensing is only possible for existing customers who have been prescribed the medication in question for a long period of time and have already scheduled a new doctor's appointment. In case of doubt, the doctor must first be informed. High-risk medicines, high-cost medicines and narcotics (Betäubungsmittel) listed in Schedules (Verz.) a and b are excluded from advance dispensing. The decision and responsibility for advance dispensing always lies with the pharmacist. There is no legal entitlement to advance dispensing.
- What happens if my medicine is affected by a supply shortage?
If your medication is affected by a supply shortage, we will check for therapeutic equivalents, other galenic forms, as well as manufacturing and import options. If necessary, we will discuss this with your doctor.
