A newly opened retail pharmacy in Holguín is offering a diverse range of products, including cosmetics, personal hygiene items, natural juices, tea, and even fruit salads, as reported by the provincial broadcaster Radio Angulo on Wednesday.
Named "La botica de Los Parques," this establishment is conveniently located at the corner of Frexes and Miró streets. It is the result of a collaboration between the private microenterprise Cadena de Tiendas Galas Fénix SURL and the Provincial Company of Pharmacies and Optics (Farmox).
The product lineup features perfumes, serums, creams, cosmetics, blood pressure monitors, band-aids, and adult diapers. In addition, there is a small gastronomic section where customers can enjoy natural juices, fruit salads, and tea. Payments can be made in local currency or through available electronic channels.
Arley Leyva González, the manager of Galas Fénix, stated that the goal of the store is to provide products related to health and well-being. The establishment will employ staff with pharmaceutical training from Farmox, alongside baristas who will prepare the food offerings.
Tania Moreno Marrero, a licensed pharmaceutical services administrator, revealed plans to include naturally produced medicines, such as remedies and syrups. The announced operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This opening follows the authorization by Decree 160/2026, effective from August 4, allowing private microenterprises and non-agricultural cooperatives to provide pharmaceutical services in Cuba—an activity previously limited to the state sector.
However, "La botica de Los Parques" does not fully qualify as one of the private pharmacies under this new model. Its current offerings focus on cosmeceuticals and personal care products, functioning under a collaboration between a private company and Farmox.
This development is particularly noteworthy in a nation where the government admitted in August that only 30% of essential medications were available through the state network, leaving approximately seven out of ten necessary drugs inaccessible.
The scarcity of medicines also affects the potential for private pharmacies to expand. At the time of the opening in Holguín, the Ministry of Public Health had received 76 applications for the pilot program, but only seven projects received approval, and none had fully commenced operations under the new model.
Future private pharmacies will face significant limitations. They will be prohibited from selling narcotics, psychotropics, or medications exclusively used in hospitals, while the importation of pharmaceuticals will remain under the control of state entities Medicuba and Farmacuba.
Galas Fénix, which has been active in the Holguín market for over three years with ventures like El Regente, the children's ice cream parlor Gemita, and La Parrillita, is now expanding into a new commercial line. The company aims to later extend this retail market activity into the wholesale sector, as the state health network continues to grapple with one of the most severe shortages of medications acknowledged by the Cuban government.
Understanding the New Retail Pharmacy Model in Cuba
What is the primary focus of the new store in Holguín?
The new store in Holguín focuses on offering a variety of cosmetics, personal hygiene products, natural juices, tea, and fruit salads.
How does the collaboration between Galas Fénix and Farmox work?
The collaboration allows Galas Fénix to operate the store with staff trained in pharmaceuticals from Farmox, offering products related to health and well-being.
What limitations do future private pharmacies in Cuba face?
Future private pharmacies will not be allowed to sell narcotics, psychotropics, or hospital-exclusive medications, and the importation of drugs will remain a state-controlled activity.