Cuba medicine shortages drive rise in community distribution networks

Severe medicine shortages in Cuba have led to the rise of community-led distribution networks. In Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, an initiative called ‘Medicine Is Not for Sale,’ coordinated by Laura Mendoza, provides free medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and diuretics to residents who request them via WhatsApp.

These networks rely on donations from local residents, travelers, and humanitarian organizations in Canada and the United States, often working in collaboration with the Catholic charity Caritas. While these efforts provide a vital lifeline, organizers note that critical supplies—including cancer treatments, refrigerated medications for diabetes, syringes, and anesthetics—remain extremely difficult to obtain.

The scarcity has prompted significant shifts in the country’s health landscape. In July, Cuban authorities issued new regulations to allow the operation of private pharmacies, marking a historic departure from the traditionally state-run health system. In the interim, citizens continue to navigate a landscape of state pharmacy shortages, informal street vendors, and digital groups to access essential treatments.