The incorporation of non-state management models into pharmaceutical services in Cuba is progressing, this September 11, with 36 projects currently under evaluation for the management of community pharmacies.
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Cristina Lara, National Director of Medicines and Medical Technologies at the Ministry of Public Health, explained that there are no plans to lease the premises currently housing state-run community pharmacies for this new operational model. Of the proposals submitted, three are in the process of being established, while another 14 have received approval to proceed with the necessary formalities.
Lara noted that this is a new type of activity allowing non-state entities to manage community pharmacies, provide pharmaceutical services, and sell medicines and other health-related products.
These establishments must meet specific requirements for the storage and dispensing of medicines and employ professional staff responsible for technical operations. Pharmacies managed by non-state entities may curate their own inventory of medicines and health products, provided they comply with established regulations.
El bloqueo castiga la vida cotidiana de un pueblo.
Castiga a los padres o familiares que buscan con angustia un medicamento imprescindible; que puede estar en uno de los más de 7⃣0⃣ 0⃣0⃣ contenedores que no dejan llegar a la isla. #CubaNoEsUnaAmenaza, el bloqueo sí. pic.twitter.com/7dMvcnGGNx
— Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (@MINSAPCuba) September 7, 2026
The text reads, “The blockade punishes the daily life of a people. It punishes parents or relatives who anxiously search for an essential medication; which may be in one of the more than 7000 containers that they won’t allow to reach the island”
The specialist warned that these pharmacies may not sell medicines intended for hospital use, products classified as controlled substances, or items on other restricted national lists; all drugs must be registered with the country’s regulatory authority.
All imports must be processed through the two authorized importing agencies—Medicuba (under the Ministry of Public Health) and Farmacuba (part of the Cuban pharmaceutical industry)—she noted, emphasizing that the sale of medicines requires special handling due to its direct impact on public health.
Pharmacies operating under these new non-state management models will be subject to sanitary requirements and controls established by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, and the national director emphasized that official oversight would be ensured across the island.
This development is part of a new opening authorized by the Ministry of Public Health, allowing non-state actors to enter specific areas of the pharmacy network following the entry into force of Decree 160.
#Cuba | A UN expert warned that U.S. sanctions are restricting access to food, healthcare, education and essential services in Cuba as the Human Rights Council examined their humanitarian impact.#UnitedNations #USBlockade #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/mw7OtL22xy
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 9, 2026
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