The Pharmaceutical Market: Cuba

Countries covered: Cuba

Espicom’s in-depth pharmaceutical market reports are ideal for executives wanting to understand the key drivers in pharmaceutical markets and have access to a wealth of statistical data. Each report opens with an outlook section that provides analysis of the market, 5-year market forecasts, national data projections, market outlook and key developments such as regulation, pricing/reimbursement, intellectual property, health facilities and government policy. The report also provides extensive background information, population trends, health status, health expenditure, organisation & administration, hospital services, medical personnel, healthcare development, market access information, trade data for raw materials and finished products and essential industry contacts.

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Additional Information

Cuba has a relatively strong domestic pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry, which responds to the needs of the population and export opportunities. The pharmaceutical market is valued at US$501 million in 2009, equal to US$44 per capita. Domestic production accounts for between 80% and 90% of the market, the remainder being imports. In 2007, imports amounted to US$70.9 million, domestic production of human pharmaceuticals reached 383 million pesos (US$413.6 million), therefore the market was worth an estimated US$390.7 million.

The Cuban economy outperformed many Latin American economies from 1998-2008. However, in the latter half of 2008, three hurricanes and the worldwide credit crunch led to an end of year deficit of US$4.2 billion. The storms severely impacted on over 2,000 health centres as well as Cuba’s power and road networks. Economically, medical and pharmaceutical services remain priority export sectors.

In January 2009, days after the 50th anniversary of the revolution, Cuba announced it was open to having direct talks with the US. Obama has moved to ease travel restrictions and remittances to Cuba but not the trade embargo.

In December 2007, QUIMEFA confirmed there will be millions of dollars of investments to improve and increase pharmaceutical production. Three new technologically advanced plants opened in 2008, producing ampoules, injectables and non-freon gas aerosols with other new plants planned for unguents & creams, injectable solutions and serums and others are planned. Domestic production concentrates on generic pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Production is GMP compliant, and selected pharmaceuticals meet bioequivalence standards. Investments were valued at over US$100 million in 2004.

The latest list of essential medicines (CBM - Cuadro Básico de Medicamentos) for 2009 contains 869 medicines. In the pharmacy sector, there are 363 medicines listed, of which 341 (94%) are produced domestically. In the hospital sector, there are 506 medicines listed, of which 222 (44%) are produced domestically.

Cuba develops leading vaccines and drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, circulatory diseases and cancer. These are of interest particularly to many developing countries in search of cheap generics or technology transfer. Cuba also undertakes a high number of clinical trials, which amounted to 358 between 1995 and 2006, and 52 were being carried as of January 2008. Biologicals accounted for 74.9% of the total. Around US$2 million is spent purchasing generic antiretrovirals by the government each year.

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