A young Cuban suffering from epilepsy has publicly denounced the dramatic dilemma he faces each month: choosing between buying food or purchasing the medications he needs to manage his condition.
I suffer from epilepsy, and I take carbamazepine. Taking the pills is very difficult for me. Today it comes in, and it will be gone for four months, she expressed in a video released by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).
Due to chronic shortages in state pharmacies, one must resort to the informal market, where the price of a bottle of 90 pills can range between 4,000 and up to 12,000 Cuban pesos. “I bought the pills for 9,000 pesos, but I don’t know whether to eat or buy the pills, because it’s just too expensive,” he lamented. On previous occasions, he has seen the same bottle priced at 12,000 pesos, an amount that is out of reach for his situation.
The young man claims that the aftereffects of his illness and the stress prevent him from working regularly: “I can hardly work at all. The little I earn is not enough for food; it’s just for the pills, so I don't suffer too much.” The combination of poverty and illness has pushed him to the brink: “I’ve been eating rice with mango for several days now... I don’t even know what to digest anymore,” he confessed.
According to the VIII Report from OCDH, only 3% of the Cuban population is able to access medications through the state pharmacy network. The rest must turn to parallel markets or rely on donations, a situation that has become unsustainable for many.
Similar cases have occurred in various provinces. In Holguín, a mother sought help to obtain sodium valproate and lamotrigine for her epileptic son, who would resort to harming himself during seizures when left without treatment. In Havana, a child with epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Cornelia de Lange syndrome went more than ten days without medications such as clonazepam and risperidone, which are essential for stabilizing his condition.
The shortage worsened at the end of 2024, when authorities acknowledged that more than 460 essential medications were unavailable, which is over 70% of the basic supply. Medical equipment, syringes, and other supplies are also in short supply, severely affecting the quality of healthcare services.
In July 2025, the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, admitted before the National Assembly that only 30% of the basic medicine supply is guaranteed. He acknowledged that the recovery of the system will depend on external financing and did not provide any dates for a potential improvement. In the meantime, the government continues to prioritize the development of tourism.
The case of this young person reflects the struggle that thousands of people face in Cuba, where healthcare has ceased to be a guaranteed right and has become a luxury dependent on the ability to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis of Medications and Poverty in Cuba
Why does the young Cuban with epilepsy face difficulties in obtaining his medications?
The young Cuban is facing difficulties obtaining his medications due to the chronic shortage in state pharmacies, which forces him to turn to the informal market where prices are extremely high. A bottle of 90 tablets of carbamazepine can cost between 4,000 and 12,000 Cuban pesos in this market, an amount that is unattainable for many in his situation.
What percentage of the Cuban population is able to access medications through state pharmacies?
According to the VIII Report of the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), only 3% of the Cuban population is able to access medications through the state pharmacy network. The majority must turn to parallel markets or rely on donations.
What has the Cuban government admitted about the shortage of medications?
The Minister of Public Health of Cuba, José Ángel Portal Miranda, admitted in July 2025 that only 30% of the basic essential medicines are guaranteed. He acknowledged that the recovery of the health system will depend on external financing, without providing any dates for a possible improvement.
What is the situation of poverty in Cuba according to the OCDH?
The Eighth Study on the State of Social Rights in Cuba by OCDH indicates that 89% of Cubans live in extreme poverty. This situation has been exacerbated by the food crisis and the lack of medication, while authorities often blame others for the problems.
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