The Provincial Inspection Directorate of Villa Clara has uncovered severe violations in multiple pharmacies in the city of Santa Clara during an audit conducted after numerous complaints from the public.
Leticia Alfonso, the director of the entity, reported that all pharmacies inspected during a surprise audit confirmed the reported incidents. Fines were imposed on those responsible under Decree 30 of 2021, in relation to thefts and shortages, according to a note posted on Facebook by the Provincial Government of Villa Clara.
At the Community Pharmacy (Unit) U668 in the capital of Villa Clara, inspectors caught the attendant, who also served as the administrator, dispensing controlled medications to a neighbor who had arrived with medical prescriptions and cards, explained the official.
In the storage area, 10 blisters of Metformin were found missing.
Meanwhile, at the Special Area Health Pharmacy U664, 18 bottles of Homatropine Methylbromide were discovered hidden under the counter, along with a shortage of seven bottles.
Additionally, in the warehouse stock area, there were 36 bottles of Boraden held back, with another six missing.
The third pharmacy inspected was the U676, where 21 sunflower oil soaps, three boxes of 12-unit Piroxicam each, 30 tablets of Amiodarone, and 40 of Alprazolam were reserved for the staff.
Cubans have been suffering from a shortage of medicines since 2020, forcing them to obtain painkillers and basic medicines from the black market. In this context, BioCubaFarma has reported over twenty theft attempts in its warehouses, while those affected by the shortage denounce the trafficking of the few available medications in pharmacies.
Pharmacy Violations in Villa Clara
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the recent findings in Villa Clara pharmacies and the broader context of medicine shortages in Cuba.
What violations were detected in the pharmacies of Villa Clara?
Inspectors found thefts, shortages, and unauthorized dispensing of controlled medications in multiple pharmacies.
Who is responsible for these violations?
The attendants and administrators of the pharmacies inspected were held responsible and fined according to Decree 30 of 2021.
Why is there a shortage of medicines in Cuba?
Since 2020, Cubans have faced a scarcity of medicines due to systemic issues, forcing them to resort to the black market for basic medical supplies.