Supplying Medicines and Supplements to Cuba
A practical guide for Cuban state importers and health buyers who source from abroad, and for manufacturers and exporters worldwide selling into Cuba.
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Selling to Cuba means selling to the state. Imports go through state importers, principally Medicuba (Ministry of Public Health), Farmacuba and Emcomed, and even the new private pharmacies must import through them.
The need is severe: 69% of essential medicines were reported short in September 2025. Shipping has been disrupted, with major container lines halting Cuba services in 2026 after new US measures. The US Treasury said in August 2026 that it doesn't intend to target non-US companies for supplying medicines, but products with US-origin content still need US authorisation. Take specialist advice on payments and logistics.
Cuba at a glance
| Who imports | State importers, principally Medicuba, Farmacuba and Emcomed; private pharmacies import through them |
|---|---|
| Regulator | CECMED, the state centre for the control of medicines and medical devices |
| Shortages | 69% of essential medicines reported short in September 2025 |
| Shipping | Major container lines halted Cuba services in 2026 after new US measures |
| Sanctions | Products with US-origin content need US authorisation; take specialist advice on payments |
How to supply medicines to Cuba
- Approach the state importers. Medicuba, Farmacuba and Emcomed buy for the health system, including for private pharmacies.
- Prepare the dossier. A CTD dossier with a CoPP and the plant's GMP evidence.
- Check sanctions and payments. Check for US-origin content and agree the payment route with specialist advice before you commit.
- Plan the logistics. Confirm the shipping route early, given the 2026 disruption to container services.
Ask the state importer what CECMED allows for your product, as current registration rules could not be verified. See named-patient and special import and government tender supply.
Supplements
Dietary supplements count as foods in Cuba and are registered through the Ministry of Public Health's food and nutrition institute (INHA). A product that provides 100% or more of the recommended daily intake is treated as a medicine. Unregistered products may not be sold. We help brands get supplements made under their own label by GMP-certified contract manufacturers: see nutraceutical private label.
What people in Cuba search for
Search data for Cuba is limited. The shortages cover a wide range of essential medicines, from antibiotics and painkillers to treatments for diabetes and blood pressure.
Supplements we can help you make
Essential medicines we list include:
Documents to ask your supplier for
- A Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CoPP) in WHO format.
- The plant's GMP evidence, such as a WHO-GMP, EU-GMP or PIC/S certificate, plus any inspection by your regulator.
- The registration dossier (CTD or ACTD), with bioequivalence data for generics where required.
- Stability data for hot climates.
- A Certificate of Analysis for every batch.
Not sure a supplier is genuine? Read how to verify a pharmaceutical supplier. For the neighbouring markets, see our Latin America and Caribbean import guide.
Sourcing for Cuba?
Send the product, strength, quantity and the documents your regulator needs. We will match you with GMP-certified manufacturers and suppliers who can serve your market, wherever they are based.
Send your requirement Talk to our team