The Cuban regime made a significant change on Tuesday regarding one of the most emblematic prohibitions imposed on the private sector by authorizing, under state license, micro, small, and medium-sized private enterprises (mipymes) and non-agricultural cooperatives to provide pharmaceutical, optical, caregiving, and rehabilitation services.
The measure was included in Decree 160/2026, published in the and signed by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz on July 22. The new regulation replaces Decree 107 of 2024 and redefines the permitted, prohibited, or conditioned activities for non-state economic actors.
While the repealed decree expressly prohibited pharmaceutical and optical services, the new text classifies them as an "authorized or conditional activity," allowing private companies and cooperatives to provide these services as long as they obtain the necessary authorization from health authorities.
The regulation reserves medical and dental care for the State both within and outside the National Health System, but it introduces an exception for pharmaceutical services.
"Pharmaceutical, optical, care, and rehabilitation services are authorized and can be provided by private companies, micro, small, and medium-sized private enterprises, as well as non-agricultural cooperatives," states Decree 160.
Furthermore, the text states that any activity not expressly listed as prohibited or conditioned is considered permitted, although it will be subject to the licenses, certifications, or authorizations required by specific regulations.
The manufacture of medicines is also authorized
Another development is that the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products is no longer completely prohibited for the private sector.
The decree also incorporates it as an authorized activity, although it conditions its practice on the permission of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and the relevant regulatory authority. Furthermore, it specifies that it can only be carried out through partnerships or linkages with the state bio-pharmaceutical industry, keeping this strategic segment under government control.
The decision comes in the context of a deep crisis in the Cuban pharmaceutical system.
In the past two years, the authorities have repeatedly acknowledged serious supply issues. At different times, the Ministry of Public Health itself has admitted that the availability of the basic range of medications has remained well below the country's needs, while state pharmacies continue to face shortages of essential drugs.
The flexibilization also coincides with the 176 economic measures approved by the National Assembly in June 2026, aimed at expanding the scope of action for private economic actors.
They will not be able to open immediately
Although the decree lifts the general ban, it does not mean that private pharmacies can open automatically.
The regulation stipulates that the governing bodies have seven days to approve the procedures, requirements, licensing modalities, and supervision mechanisms necessary to implement the new provisions. Additionally, the decree will take effect seven days after its publication, that is, on August 4, 2026.
In practice, the opening of private pharmaceutical establishments will depend on the regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Health, which will be responsible for defining the conditions to authorize this type of activity.
Decree 160 also establishes that the Council of Ministers must review the content of the regulation at least every two years, at the proposal of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors, in order to update the list of prohibited or conditioned activities.
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