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The Cuban authorities detained Jonail Piña Plasencia, a nurse from the Emergency Service of Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Hospital in Pinar del Río, after he was caught in the act leaving his workplace with stolen medications and medical supplies.
Alongside him, Mayisney Hidalgo Barrios was also arrested, identified as an accomplice of Piña Plascencia and a resident of Reparto Cuba Libre, who was engaged in the illegal sale of these materials on the black market.
According to the information released by the profile associated with the Ministry of Interior (MININT) in Pinar del Río De Canallas y sus Canalladas, Piña Plasencia is said to have been diverting supplies during his guard shifts.
Among the seized products are blister packs of pills, ampoules and injectable vials, boxes of creams, syringes, among other essential materials for hospital care.
"How many patients in need of these medications received a negative response because they had already been diverted to the illegal market?" questioned the MININT publication.
The theft and illegal sale of medications in Cuba is a recurring problem, particularly in the context of the drug shortages affecting the country. Various cases have come to light in recent years, highlighting the scope of this issue.
The most recent incident occurred a few days ago, when a man was arrested in Holguín for possessing controlled medications intended for illegal sale.
The arrest occurred during a drug operation, and among the seized pharmaceuticals were amitriptyline, trifluoperazine, and dimenhydrinate, regulated by the Ministry of Public Health due to their effects similar to those of illicit drugs.
In February, a licensed Physical Therapist residing in Manzanillo, Granma province, was arrested for storing and selling a wide variety of medications informally.
In his home, antibiotics, analgesics, antihistamines, syringes, and suture materials were found, among other products. The man promoted the drugs through social media and sold them for home delivery.
But there are documented facts from previous years, such as in August 2021, when in Guantánamo, more than a dozen people were arrested for their involvement in the theft and illegal sale of medications.
Among the seized medications were analgesics, antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin, anxiolytics, and other drugs from the national network as well as imported from the United States and Russia. The suspects faced prison sentences and significant fines.
On the same date, in Ciego de Ávila, healthcare personnel were arrested for stealing medications intended for the treatment of COVID-19 patients for subsequent illegal sale at inflated prices.
Among the detainees were nurses and service personnel, and drugs such as rocefin, tramadol, dipyrone, and dexarone were seized.
The authorities implemented provisional detention measures while further investigations were conducted.
In addition to these incidents, the state corporation BioCubaFarma has reported multiple theft attempts at its facilities. In 2023, 19 theft attempts were recorded, five of which were directly related to medications. The organization has implemented control measures, such as the installation of closed-circuit cameras, to prevent these illegal activities.
These incidents reflect the seriousness of the problem in Cuba, where the shortage of medications has fueled the black market and corruption in the healthcare sector.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Traffic of Medical Supplies and Medications in Cuba
Who was arrested in Pinar del Río for trafficking medical supplies?
Jonail Piña Plasencia, a nurse at the Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Hospital, and Mayisney Hidalgo Barrios, his accomplice, were arrested in Pinar del Río for trafficking stolen medical supplies. Piña Plasencia had been stealing medications and other materials during his shifts, while Hidalgo Barrios sold them on the black market.
What kind of supplies were stolen from the hospital in Pinar del Río?
Among the stolen supplies, blister packs of pills, ampoules and injectable vials, boxes of creams, and syringes were seized, all essential for hospital care. These materials, diverted to the black market, were necessary for patients who could not access them due to corruption.
Why is the illegal theft and sale of medications a serious problem in Cuba?
The illegal theft and sale of medications in Cuba is serious due to the chronic shortage of drugs, which affects patients requiring urgent treatments or care for chronic illnesses. This situation has created a black market where prices are unaffordable for many, exacerbating the health crisis in the country.
What are the causes of the shortage of medications in Cuba?
The causes of medication shortages in Cuba include poor management, corruption, lack of investment, and the centralization of the pharmaceutical sector. Although the government attributes the crisis to external factors, specialists and citizens point out these internal issues as the main culprits behind the shortages.
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