New York, 5 January 2021. Cuba is denied the right to purchase technologies, raw materials, reagents, diagnostic kits, medications, devices, equipment and spare parts necessary for the better performance of its public health system. Not having the right medication or technology to treat a disease, at the right time to save a life, causes patients and their families suffering and despair. That pain can never be quantified.
During the period under review, the Importing and Exporting Company of Medical Products (MEDICUBA S.A.) contacted the seven companies that make up its Supplier Portfolio and also 50 other companies. In February 2020, when the Cuban company reached out to its suppliers requesting to update the documentation to ensure the continuation of the trade relationship, five of these companies did not respond. Only ELI LILLY and BAYER replied, the former, refusing to continue as a MEDICUBA supplier, while the latter advised that it had to apply for a new OFAC license for the new contracts.
On 16 July 2019, the EMIRATES airline rejected a shipment of the Carbidopa-levodopa medication contracted by MEDICUBA from the Indian manufacturer and supplier APEX DRUG HOUSE, arguing that they could not transport goods destined for Cuba. Carbidopa-levodopa is a drug used to treat the symptoms of the Parkinson's disease, such as muscular stiffness, tremors, spasms and poor muscle control.
During this period, MEDICUBA S.A contacted 50 American companies to inquire about the possibilities of importing medications, equipment and other supplies necessary for our Public Health System. The vast majority did not react and three of them (WATERS CORPORATION, DEXCOM and the U.S. subsidiary of ROYAL PHILIPS N.V.) replied arguing that they could not establish business relationships with Cuban companies due to the blockade.
The company ROYAL PHILIPS N.V., was requested 80 units of the CVX-300 Excimer Laser System, used for coronary angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention, a minimally invasive procedure used to open clogged heart arteries. The company replied that it is not in a position to do business with MEDICUBA owing to regulatory and export control restrictions imposed by the U.S. government.
Requests were received by JANSEN Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of JOHNSON & JOHNSON, for Abiraterone Acetate, a medication used for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer and no response was received.
The same happened with PFIZER Pharmaceuticals, which was requested for Palbociclib, a medication used to treat hormone-sensitive metastatic breast cancer, as well as Sunitinib, used for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and Crizotinib, for the treatment of lung cancer.
There was also no reply from BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC Pharmaceutical Company, which was required the pediatric arterial and venous lines of products, hydrophobic filters, 6 Fr and 6.5 Fr transitory hemodialysis catheters for young children, pediatric dialyzers, 500cc dialysis bags and 25-28cm Tenckhoff catheters, used for newborns and infants with acute renal failure.
In many cases, refusals result in the search for new suppliers, which translates into increased costs of medications and medical equipment for the Cuban government. However, no Cuban is abandoned to his or her own fate. Despite the blockade, Cuba´s public health is universal and free.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.