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Although the first half of 2018 year was not free of problems with the availability of drugs in the country's pharmacy network, compared with the previous two years – when drug shortages were between 70 and 100 products- Rita María García Almaguer, Director of Operations and Technology of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Group (BioCubaFarma), told reporters that the stability was greater.
According to the specialist, last month The month of June ended with 48 faults in the national health system, the most important of which correspond to priority products: those that are vital, respond to specific programs and have no substitute, and therefore have greater connotation the population
In this group, he said, absences have moved between 15 and 20 drugs in this period of 2018, and there are has 18 medications not available. in these moments. "Towards there we are concentrated, because they are the ones for whom there is no other therapeutic indication, although the doctor may suggest other d? pharmacological action similar, "said García Almaguer
on 761 drugs. of the national production, of which 482 correspond to BioCubaFarma, and another 275 are imported. "We are responsible for 82% of the products that go to pharmacies, therefore, our industry has a significant weight in the drugs that go to the people."
Among the causes that prevent total stability in the production and supply of drugs to the health system, the interviewee mentioned, as the most determining, the lack of funding in time timely which is negotiated the acquisition of raw materials, packaging materials and supplies; and the fact that some suppliers have closed factories, such as China and India, which has led to reorientation of purchases.
"This is a very specific industry.If a supplier stops offering a certain product, looking for another one involves starting a validation process. At least three months, that is, it takes time.We have been trying for years to get more from one supplier for a product, for when there is an immediate alternative, but it's not in all cases, "he said.
"Equally important is the US blockade, which entails high costs because of the non-use of the dollar in transactions, bank difficulties, the use of third countries to acquire equipment, spare parts US, chemical reagents and other inputs and the acquisition of raw materials in very competitive markets, etc. In 2018, in at least three products we had to redirect raw material purchases because We have not counted on alternatives, and they are still missing drugs, "says the official.
Among those who are not available, she mentions primaquine and amiodarone – for which no supplier Has been found, but alternatives are being sought by the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) – and clonazepam and alprazolam, products for which the ource has not reached supplier has not been available, but between the 17th and 27th of this month will arrive in the country, and in August will go to production and distribution in the health system.
He commented that in a low coverage continue some antibiotics such as cefuroxime, already with the immediate entry of raw materials, and cefotaxime, which is located on the national territory. In the case of pentoxifylline, stability will not be achieved until September
The raw material of allopurinol, another of the drugs also affected, has arrived in the country.
Other products such as reagent strips for measuring blood glucose, and antiretrovirals – whose active ingredients have just arrived and are being badyzed for incorporation into production – should begin to stabilize .
In the case of creams and ointments, the specialist stated that the month of June ended with four mistakes, compared to the 25 that were reached in previous years, and pointed out that today The factory is at full capacity.
On the other hand, Garcia Almaguer noted that "In January, the industry showed stability in terms of delivery of dipyrone, one of the drugs that had the most d & # 39; Previously, each month this year, we delivered 84 million tablets to the public health system, managing to maintain a 30-day coverage to reach the population. "
He clarified that from in September, in addition to the 300 mg dipyrone, the 500 mg dipyrone will be distributed, and in this sense, he explained that public health authorities are already providing information to the population to avoid what is now a habit of Cubans, referring to consume two tablets of this drug.
With regard to aspirin 125 mg, which is imported and provided by the Ministry of Health, the specialist said that a supplier is not yet found, although the Have been working since last year on the introduction of 81 mg of aspirin and 500 mg of aspirin have been provided. The latter was in low coverage due to the instability of the raw material, but it arrived in the country and the production process began.
"Today, the industry is making a considerable effort and is also working to improve the logistic cycle.We produce in larger quantities than in previous years, convinced that the most important thing is that the necessary drugs are available in the quantity needed, "he concluded.
The Cuban biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry is planning an investment plan until the year 2030 of more than 2 billion dollars, which will help to increase production capacity with high standards.
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