The business group BioCubaFarma signed a biotechnology and pharmaceutical cooperation agreement with the municipality of Maricá, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which will enable the joint production of Cuban medicines in the South American country.
According to the official Cuban News Agency, the agreement was finalized during a meeting held in Havana between Cuban authorities and a Brazilian delegation led by the Mayor's Office of Maricá and its Institute of Technology and Innovation, with the aim of strengthening ties in the biopharmaceutical sector and opening new export routes for medical technology developed on the island.
BioCubaFarma reported on its X account that the meeting addressed strategic points such as technology transfer, joint research projects, and the export of biopharmaceutical products. In other words, without medicines or dignified care for its people, the regime prioritizes lining the pockets of its dictators with new sources of foreign currency.
Production of Heberprot-P and vaccines in Brazil
One of the most significant aspects of the agreement is the production in Brazil of medications such as Heberprot-P — used in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers — and various vaccines developed by Cuban institutions.
The agreement was signed with the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the Finlay Vaccine Institute, and it will be implemented through a joint venture that will integrate Cuban technology with Brazilian industrial infrastructure.
The CIGB described the agreement as "historic" and emphasized that it consolidates South-South cooperation in public health at a crucial moment for the internationalization of the Cuban biotechnology sector.
Maricá: strategic local partner
Maricá, a municipality with about 127,000 inhabitants, will be the operations center of the project. The initiative is part of the local Brazilian government's interest in incorporating innovations in public health, especially concerning its municipal system.
Cuba and its interest in selling blood plasma
In parallel to the signing of the agreement with Brazil, on April 28, the Cuban government acknowledged for the first time that it will commercialize products derived from blood plasma donated by its population, in an initiative aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to support its beleaguered healthcare system.
The company Laboratorios AICA, part of BioCubaFarma, informed the official newspaper Granma about a project to build a plasmapheresis center, aimed at the extraction and subsequent sale of plasma in international markets.
The announcement represents a significant shift in the official narrative, as it is the first time the regime has publicly acknowledged this practice, despite previous allegations from organizations like Archivo Cuba regarding the export of blood and its derivatives.
Through these initiatives, the Cuban government aims to reactivate its pharmaceutical economy abroad, even as national hospitals face extreme shortages, pharmacies are depleted, and the population lacks guaranteed access to the medications that are being exported.
That is to say, while the population faces a chronic shortage of medications and a crumbling healthcare system, the authorities remain focused on generating foreign currency, without transparency or any apparent social benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pharmaceutical Agreement between Cuba and Brazil
What does the agreement between Cuba and Brazil in the pharmaceutical sector entail?
The agreement signed between BioCubaFarma and the municipality of Maricá in Brazil will enable the joint production of Cuban medications in the South American country. The agreement includes the transfer of technologies, joint research, and the export of biopharmaceutical products. This agreement is part of Cuba's strategy to internationalize its biotechnology, despite the ongoing crisis of medicine shortages in Cuba.
What products will be produced in Brazil under this agreement?
The agreement includes the production in Brazil of medications such as Heberprot-P and various vaccines developed in Cuba. These products will be manufactured in a joint venture that will combine Cuban technology with Brazilian infrastructure, strengthening the biotechnological cooperation between both countries.
How will Cuba economically benefit from this agreement with Brazil?
Cuba aims to acquire foreign currency through the export of its medical and pharmaceutical technology. Despite the shortage of medicines on the island, the Cuban government prioritizes revenue generation through international agreements like this one, which has been criticized for failing to address the lack of medicine for the local population.
What criticisms is the Cuban government facing regarding this agreement?
The Cuban government has been criticized for prioritizing international agreements while the local population faces a severe shortage of medications. Although the agreement with Brazil opens new export routes, it does not directly address the supply crisis affecting Cubans, who struggle to access essential treatments.
Filed under:
