Cuba Faces Critical Shortage of Essential Medicines Amidst...

Qué pasó

A severe shortage of medicines is significantly impacting Villa Clara, with 368 out of 636 essential drugs missing from the National Health System's basic list. This widespread scarcity affects all pharmacological families.

The situation is forcing health authorities to prioritize available resources for critically ill patients, highlighting the depth of the current health crisis in the province.

Dónde y cuándo

The crisis is specifically affecting Villa Clara, Cuba. The information was disclosed on February 28, 2026, via the provincial radio station CMHW by Luis Alberto Gómez, director of the Provincial Medicine Commercialization Company.

The context is a severe national health and energy crisis, compounding the challenges in drug availability and distribution.

Por qué es importante

This scarcity directly impacts the health and well-being of all families in Villa Clara, especially those with chronic conditions or requiring immediate medical attention. The inability to access basic medications can lead to severe health complications and increased mortality.

The situation underscores systemic issues within Cuba's healthcare and economic systems, particularly the strain caused by ongoing energy shortages on production and distribution logistics.

Qué dicen las partes

Luis Alberto Gómez emphasized that priority is given to essential drugs for critical patients in hospitals and polyclinics, as well as for those with hematological diseases and undergoing dialysis. He noted that raw materials for over 14 cytostatics for cancer patients have arrived, and four types of insulin are being distributed.

Dr. Víctor Cañizares Pérez stated that antibiotics are concentrated in hospitals due to low availability. Marilé Jiménez Torres reported pharmacies remain open 24 hours where possible, but many operate with minimal staff due to low salaries. The scarcity of household bleach in some municipalities is expected to be resolved soon, but optical issues persist without an immediate solution.

Qué viene ahora

Efforts are underway to resume the production of lisinopril in Cuba. The authorities are also seeking alternatives for transporting raw materials and finished products, utilizing available resources like two electric vehicles, to ensure the supply chain for hospitals, especially for critical patients.

The focus remains on maintaining supply cycles for critical care and further addressing the shortages in specialized areas and medical supplies.