The Cuban business conglomerate BioCubaFarma has entered into a biotechnological and pharmaceutical cooperation agreement with the municipality of Maricá, located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. This collaboration aims to produce Cuban medications within Brazil. According to the state-run Cuban News Agency, the partnership was formalized during a meeting in Havana, which included Cuban officials and a Brazilian delegation led by Maricá's local government and its Institute of Technology and Innovation. The goal is to strengthen ties in the bio-pharmaceutical sector and open new export routes for the medical technology developed in Cuba.
BioCubaFarma shared on its X account that the meeting covered crucial topics such as technology transfer, joint research projects, and the export of bio-pharmaceutical products. Despite lacking adequate medicine and healthcare for its own people, the regime is focused on filling the pockets of its dictators with new sources of foreign currency.
Heberprot-P and Vaccine Production in Brazil
A significant aspect of the agreement is the production of medications like Heberprot-P—used to treat diabetic foot ulcers—and various vaccines developed by Cuban institutions in Brazil. The agreement involves the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB) and the Finlay Institute of Vaccines and will be executed through a joint venture that combines Cuban technology with Brazilian industrial infrastructure. The CIGB described the agreement as "historic," emphasizing its role in strengthening South-South cooperation in public health at a crucial time for the internationalization of the Cuban biotechnology sector.
Maricá: A Strategic Local Partner
The municipality of Maricá, home to approximately 127,000 residents, will serve as the project's operational hub. This initiative aligns with the Brazilian local government's interest in incorporating public health innovations, particularly for its municipal system.
Cuba's Interest in Selling Blood Plasma
Simultaneously, on April 28, the Cuban government publicly acknowledged for the first time its intent to commercialize products derived from blood plasma donated by its citizens. This initiative seeks to attract direct foreign investment to support its struggling healthcare system. AICA Laboratories, a branch of BioCubaFarma, announced to the official newspaper Granma a project to build a plasmapheresis center for the extraction and subsequent sale of plasma on international markets.
This announcement marks a significant shift in the official narrative. Although organizations like Archivo Cuba have previously accused the government of exporting blood and its derivatives, this is the first time the regime has publicly acknowledged such practices.
Through these initiatives, the Cuban government aims to revive its international pharmaceutical economy, even as national hospitals face severe shortages, pharmacies remain empty, and the population lacks guaranteed access to the very medications being exported. In essence, while the populace endures chronic medication shortages and a crumbling healthcare system, authorities continue to prioritize generating revenue, with little transparency or apparent social benefit.
Understanding Cuba's Pharmaceutical Export Strategies
What is the main goal of Cuba's agreement with Maricá, Brazil?
The primary objective is to produce Cuban medications in Brazil, leveraging local industrial infrastructure and opening new export routes for Cuban medical technology.
Why is the production of Heberprot-P significant?
Heberprot-P is crucial because it is a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, and its production in Brazil represents a key element of the agreement, highlighting Cuba's biotechnological advancements.
What does Cuba's announcement about blood plasma signify?
The announcement signifies a shift in Cuba's official stance, acknowledging the commercial sale of blood plasma products to attract foreign investment for its healthcare system.
How does the Cuban government aim to benefit from these initiatives?
The Cuban government aims to boost its economy by generating foreign currency through pharmaceutical exports despite domestic shortages in healthcare and medication.