Advances in Cuban Pharmacology

Edited by Juan Leandro
2013-10-24 14:27:43

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Oct 24, -- It's no secret that most of the world's population does not have access to modern medication. As a result, more than 15 million people die each year of infectious diseases for which there is treatment that they cannot get.

Drugs produced by pharmaceutical transnational are not available to the poor because of their high prices, and this is especially true in the case of HIV-AIDS patients. It is estimated that in underdeveloped countries, for instance, barely 300,000 of the 5 to 6 million people who currently need treatment, have access to the drugs able to save their lives.

This was the situation in Cuba before January 1959. The sad reality was that most of the medicines needed in the country were imported or produced by subsidiaries of large companies that monopolized the Cuban market and charged prices that were unaffordable for most people.

Since the triumph of the Revolution Cuba has developed an advanced pharmaceutical. At present, coverage is guaranteed for essential drugs, most of which are produced in the country.

Today, as it is internationally recognized, the pharmacology of this Caribbean country stands out in its achievements, despite the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, making it costly and difficult to acquire raw material for drug manufacture.

The policy followed by the government encourages research in vaccines and medicines to cure, prevent and stabilize diseases increasing patients’ life expectancy and overall quality of life.

Medicines are distributed via the public hospital system and pharmacies throughout the country, generally free or highly subsidized. Cuba also makes drugs available other countries and to the World Health Organization, at prices below those of the rest of the global industry.

Patients from other countries benefit of Cuban products such as HEBERPROT, an effective product for diabetic foot ulcers. Herberprot is registered in 12 countries, and this figure is expected to rise to more than 50 countries by 2015.

Unique in the world, this drug is one of many produced by Cuba, indicating the progress of pharmacology in a country where drugs are not manufactured as a business for profit but as a necessity unselfishly shared with the entire world.



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