Small businesses aiming to operate private pharmacies in Cuba must first fill out a form and submit it to the relevant Municipal Health Directorate as part of the authorization process.
Inty Martínez Morales, the Local Development Director of Sandino municipality in Pinar del Río, outlined on Radio Sandino Cuba that the requirements differ depending on whether the business is already established or is newly formed.
Existing small businesses need to add "Pharmaceutical Services" and "Medication Commercialization" to their corporate purpose.
For new small businesses, the primary activity to be declared must be Pharmaceutical Services, while Medication Commercialization should remain a secondary activity, according to the official.
These businesses are also allowed to engage in other economic activities unrelated to pharmaceuticals.
The Path to Establishing a Pharmacy
This procedure comes in the wake of Decree 160/2026, signed by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, which took effect on August 4 and lifted the ban that previously prevented the non-state sector from offering pharmaceutical services.
Opening a private pharmacy, however, is not an automatic process. Each establishment requires prior authorization from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), qualified pharmaceutical personnel, and proper conditions for storing and selling products.
Additionally, pharmacies are restricted to selling medications with a valid health registration in Cuba. Medical and dental services still remain under state control.
Private Pharmacies Amidst a Severe Shortage
This shift towards private sector involvement occurs amid a dire medication shortage in Cuba. Miguel Díaz-Canel recently acknowledged that only 30% of essential medications are currently available, indicating that seven out of ten critical drugs are missing.
For instance, in Ciego de Ávila, out of 603 essential medications, 306 were in short supply, and 151 had no distribution prospects.
At least one private pharmacy is already operating in Regla, Havana, offering medications like cephalexin for children at 2,000 pesos, nystatin for 1,200 pesos, and vitamins ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 Cuban pesos.
While these new businesses provide an alternative amidst shortages, they raise a crucial question: who can afford these prices?
The concern is particularly acute for retirees and patients with chronic conditions who rely on subsidized medications. "Don't forget about the state pharmacies. Because the elderly and retirees need to buy their medications at subsidized prices. If that disappears, we're condemning them," warned a Cuban citizen on social media.
Understanding the Impact of Private Pharmacies in Cuba
What are the requirements for a small business to open a private pharmacy in Cuba?
Interested small businesses must submit a completed form to the Municipal Health Directorate. Existing businesses should add "Pharmaceutical Services" and "Medication Commercialization" to their activities, while new businesses must declare Pharmaceutical Services as their primary activity.
Why is the authorization to open a private pharmacy not automatic?
Opening a private pharmacy requires prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), and the establishment must have qualified pharmaceutical staff and suitable conditions for storing and selling medications.
How is the medication shortage in Cuba affecting private pharmacies?
The severe shortage means that only 30% of essential medications are available, prompting private pharmacies to emerge as an alternative. However, the high prices of medicines in these pharmacies pose affordability issues for many Cubans.