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Medical campaign beats US blockade of Cuba

Health professionals in Switzerland, Germany and Italy have succeeded in breaching the US blockade of Cuba by supplying the Cubans with raw materials from which they can manufacture medicines. Last year the Medicuba campaign sent $200,000 worth of pharmaceutical components. Cuba has the scientific expertise to manufacture 90 per cent of its drug requirements, provided it has the raw materials.

The US blockade makes it illegal for any US firm, or any subsidiary of a US firm anywhere in the world, to sell anything to Cuba — including medicines and food.

This year Medicuba is on course to raise about $400,000 to produce materials which will allow the Cubans to make antibiotics, cardiovascular and steroidal drugs. With the Cuban government contributing the local production costs this is expected to realise medicines that would have cost Cuba $7 million to import. Plans for next year include the funding of equipment for Cuba to set up a plant for the production of injectable liquid and freeze-fried cytostatics used in specialised cancer treatment.

At present, Medicuba has no organisational base in the UK, but the Cuba Solidarity Campaign is collecting money on its behalf and an appeal leaflet is enclosed with this edition of healthmatters. Anyone interested in helping to set up a Medicuba branch in the UK should contact John Waller. Tel: 0114 2509993.