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HEALTH

‘The Ferraris were a mistake’: Swiss mask entrepreneurs make millions during pandemic

Two 23-year-old Swiss entrepreneurs who became multi-millionaires by selling masks during the first wave of the pandemic have defended their actions while expressing regret for buying Ferraris with their earnings.

Published: 19 February 2021 17:25 CET
'The Ferraris were a mistake': Swiss mask entrepreneurs make millions during pandemic
Masks made at a factory in France. Photo: BERTRAND GUAY / AFP

Swiss entrepreneurs Jascha Rudolphi and Luca Steffen became millionaires during the first wave of the pandemic by selling coronavirus protective masks. 

According to Swiss media, each of the two made between 30 and 100 million francs (€27-92M, $33-111M) as a result. 

Rudolphi and Steffen, both 23, imported the masks from abroad and sold them for between CHF8.50 (€7.80, $9.50) and CHF9.90 (€9.10, $11.06) through their company Emix. 

Similar masks now cost less than one franc at most retailers. 

REMINDER: What are the fines for breaking shutdown rules in Switzerland?

The entrepreneurs have come under fire for selling “unusable, perhaps even fake masks to the federal government for horrific sums” reports Swiss news outlet NZZ. 

In one such example, Emix sold around 700,000 masks from Egyptian manufacturer Chemi Pharma Medical to the Swiss army which were later presumed to be fakes, as the Egyptian company does not manufacture masks. 

The two entrepreneurs are facing potential criminal consequences for their actions. A charge of usury has been opened up by the Zurich public prosecutor's office, while a criminal investigation into Emix is ongoing. 

 

 

 

The manufacturers however dispute this claim, pointing out a memo from the German Ministry for Health – another Emix customer – who wrote that “”Overall, Emix offered above-average quality with its deliveries and proved to be professional and fast in cooperation.”

The men came to Switzerland’s attention in June of 2020 when news emerged that they had each purchased limited edition Ferraris worth more than CHF2.5 million (€2.3M, $2.8M), along with a number of other cars. 

‘We have protected millions’

In an interview with Swiss media outlet NZZ published on Thursday, the entrepreneurs said they had no regret for their actions – although they did acknowledge that the purchase of the special edition cars was a mistake. 

“Thanks to us, millions of doctors, nurses, police officers and firefighters have been protected,” said Rudolphi.

“Regarding the accusation that we became rich with taxpayers' money, one must also say that we have now paid a lot of taxes in Switzerland.”

Steffen said it was just good business. 

“If you bear in mind that our profit came about through forward-looking negotiations in purchasing and logistics and through the huge volume, I don't have a guilty conscience for a second.”

Rudolphi said he understood why people were angry about the two purchasing Ferraris. 

“Buying the cars was insensitive at the time” he said. 

 

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HEALTH

How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland?

If you already have a GP doctor in Switzerland but, for some reason, need or want to switch, how easy is it to do so?

Published: 8 July 2024 15:59 CEST
Updated: 8 September 2024 05:47 CEST
How difficult is it to change your doctor in Switzerland?

There are a number of reasons why you may want to leave your GP and find a new one.

Maybe you don’t like their bedside manner, are not happy with the medical care, or are simply moving away and need to find someone closer to your new home.

Whatever the reason, whether or not you can easily switch from one doctor to another depends on the kind of health insurance you have.

Different models, different rights

If you have the ‘standard’ — and typically the most expensive — type of the obligatory health insurance (KVG / LaMal), then you are free to switch your GPs at will, and you don’t have to inform the insurance carrier of the switch.

However, if you have opted for one of the cheaper insurance models, then your right to switch doctors may be limited:

Family doctor model’

It is the most popular in Switzerland (and 20 percent cheaper than standard insurance policy premiums).

Under this model, you have a family doctor who will manage your care — that is, treat you or send you to specialists if needed (with the exception of gynecologists and eye doctors, who don’t require a referral).

You can’t, however, change doctors at will, unless your insurance company approves the switch.

Telemedicine model

If you have opted for the Telemed formula, you must call a health hotline set up by your insurance company.

They will give you a referral to a doctor or hospital based on your symptoms.
 
Heath Maintainance Organisation (HMO)

Under this model, policyholders are required to consult a particular HMO practice. Two disadvantages of this alternative is a limited choice of doctors and you also need a referral to see a specialist.

So the only option that gives you the right to switch doctors with no hassle is the standard one, with the family doctor model also possibly allowing you to do so, under certain circumstances.

The way Telmed and HMO are set up, however, switching doctors is not possible. If that option is important to you, then you will have to switch to the (more expensive) standard insurance.

The only exception to the above restrictions are emergencies, when you need urgent medical treatment.

Assuming you have the standard model, how do you go about changing?

The process is pretty simple: you can find physicians in your area either through recommendations from people you know (which is the best way to ensure you will not be getting an ‘anonymous’ doctor) or, if no recommendations are available, then through the OneDoc platform, which lists which doctors are taking new patients and where.

You can then make an appointment directly online.

When you do so, ask your current physician’s office to transfer your file to the new doc.

You don’t need to explain the reasons for the switch.
 
READ ALSO: The essential Swiss websites you need to use for health matters 
 

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