Cubans turn to community pharmacies amid medicine shortages
Summary
Cubans are turning to community pharmacies and informal networks as severe medicine shortages deepen across the island. The government has allowed private pharmacies for the first time as part of broader economic reforms and efforts to ease the crisis.
Key Points
- Community projects in Havana are distributing scarce medicines for free through WhatsApp requests and volunteer networks.
- Cuba’s state pharmacies are facing severe shortages, with only slightly more than one-third of the basic drug list currently available.
- Authorities have allowed private pharmacies to operate as part of 176 economic measures aimed at expanding private enterprise.
- U.S. energy and financial restrictions, imported material shortages and logistics problems are worsening the availability of medicines and medical supplies.
