--- title: "Cubans use community pharmacies amid medicine shortages" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages" category: "Health" area: "Latin America" published: "2026-10-11T14:45:52.013Z" source_reported: "2026-10-11T11:38:05.000Z" updated: "2026-10-11T14:45:52.013Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-11T14:45:13.729567+00:00" --- # Cubans use community pharmacies amid medicine shortages *State pharmacies face scarcity, prompting rise of informal and private distribution networks.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to AP, and the full report names Laura Mendoza and Cristina Díaz. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The report explains the context of the shortages and quotes affected individuals and officials. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is factual and avoids sensationalism, with a straightforward headline. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Community pharmacies and informal groups are distributing medicines in Havana due to shortages in state-run facilities. - Cuban authorities have allowed private pharmacies to operate as part of broader economic reforms. - The government attributes the economic crisis and medicine shortages partly to U.S. energy and financial restrictions. - Shortages of imported raw materials are impacting the production of medicines by Cuban laboratories. Community pharmacies and informal groups are distributing medicines in Havana, Cuba, as state pharmacies face significant shortages. These initiatives, often organised through platforms like WhatsApp, provide essential drugs to individuals unable to find them through official channels. The Cuban government has acknowledged the crisis, citing U.S. energy and financial restrictions as contributing factors to the economic downturn and subsequent medicine scarcity. Shortages of imported raw materials are also impacting the production capacity of Cuban laboratories. ## Disagreements in reporting The Washington Top News report states that Cuban authorities issued regulations in July allowing private pharmacies to operate. Digests from other outlets do not specify a date for this regulatory change. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated digests mention the specific cost of medicines at informal sellers, a detail present in the Washington Top News full report. The right-rated digests do not mention the specific types of medicines distributed by community projects or the impact of raw material shortages on Cuban laboratory production. ## Who covered it Shares of the 26 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 42% (11) - Centre: 50% (13) - Right: 8% (2) 2 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-11T14:45:13.729567+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-11T15:00:25.972Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports focused on the community-based distribution of medicines and the role of initiatives like Laura Mendoza's "Medicine Is Not for Sale" project. These digests highlighted that such projects are providing a lifeline for Cubans struggling with scarce medications. They also noted that the shortages are compounded by U.S. energy and financial restrictions. Several left-rated digests mentioned the specific types of medicines distributed, such as antihistamines and antibiotics, and the use of WhatsApp for requests. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports also highlighted the community pharmacies and informal distribution networks as a response to medicine shortages. These digests frequently mentioned Laura Mendoza's project and the use of WhatsApp. The reports noted that Cuban authorities have allowed private pharmacies to operate as part of broader economic reforms. The Washington Top News full report detailed the government's rationale, including U.S. sanctions, and mentioned that regulations allowing private pharmacies were issued in July. It also included details on the difficulties in obtaining specific drugs like those requiring refrigeration or cancer treatments, and the impact of raw material shortages on local production. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on the emergence of community pharmacies as a response to medicine shortages, which they noted are aggravated by external restrictions and logistical problems. These digests also mentioned that the opening of private pharmacies seeks to alleviate shortages but raised doubts about their accessibility for those with low incomes. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 10 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 15 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/latin/11212452/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [LiveTube](https://livetube.tv/news/video-cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Video: Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/world/2026/10/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce – WTOP News - [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/cubanos-recurren-a-las-farmacias-comunitarias-y-gratuitas-para-sobrellevar-la-escasez-de-medicinas_0_BTaB16Z8Nh.html) — Cuban People Resort to Free Community Pharmacies to Cope with the Shortage of Medicines - [Chicago Tribune](https://chicagotribune.com/2026/10/11/cubanos-recurren-a-las-farmacias-comunitarias-y-gratuitas-para-sobrellevar-la-escasez-de-medicinas) — Cuban People Resort to Free Community Pharmacies to Cope with the Shortage of Medicines - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/america-latina/cubanos-recurren-a-las-farmacias-comunitarias-y-gratuitas-para-sobrellevar-la-escasez-de-medicinas-b3064748.html) — Cuban People Resort to Free Community Pharmacies to Cope with the Shortage of Medicines - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/americas/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_0c398d8b-0f6a-55d4-b3e9-30b3fd0b6104.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/life/health-wellness/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_bcd3218d-ab22-53ff-9310-ab99090081d5.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/cuba-medicines-pharmacies-charity-a26769) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/mendoza-cuban-havana-people-patients-b3064746.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/cuba-medicines-pharmacies-charity-34280901ca0d9b7a66dd1892fffa0421) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/cubans-turn-free-community-pharmacies-medicines-grow-scarce-137170499) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/world/2026/10/11/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/world/2026/10/11/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/mendoza-cuban-havana-people-patients-b3064746.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The News-Gazette](https://news-gazette.com/news/nation-world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_8a9ff062-11ef-5541-b4c0-2fad72e3b36e.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Standard-Journal](https://standard-journal.com/ap/world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_342d3577-d475-53d8-9a07-c51179d068fe.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Yakima Herald-Republic](https://yakimaherald.com/news/nation_and_world/world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_d8f41324-a8c0-5d42-9e03-b4cf623be7cf.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [GazetteXtra](https://gazettextra.com/news/nation_world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_b6b9dc64-01bc-53a9-8d39-f870aa3cce49.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Leader-Telegram](https://leadertelegram.com/news/nation-world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_bc3c9d30-c0d5-53da-a24f-724dfaecf2a1.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Star Democrat](https://stardem.com/ap/world/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_f457d909-981b-5ed4-9005-174a0d48ab49.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [The Record](https://therecord.com/life/health-wellness/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_c777ee15-b8d8-5e48-aa92-55ad950d4dad.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/life/health-wellness/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_c4102e61-d5a1-5796-b27b-5f4e0dc0ee91.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/life/health-wellness/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce/article_16be0623-1320-5871-97eb-0263b68ead46.html) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/10/11/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/cubans-turn-to-free-community-pharmacies-as-medicines-grow-scarce) — Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce ## Questions **Why are there medicine shortages in Cuba?** Cuban authorities cite U.S. energy and financial restrictions as contributing to the economic crisis and medicine shortages. Shortages of imported raw materials are also impacting the production of medicines by Cuban laboratories. **What is being done to address the shortages?** Community pharmacies and informal groups are distributing medicines. Cuban authorities have also allowed private pharmacies to operate as part of broader economic reforms, though these will be regulated. **What is the 'Medicine Is Not for Sale' project?** It is a community initiative in Havana, run by volunteers like Laura Mendoza, that distributes requested medicines for free through platforms like WhatsApp, helping to fill gaps left by state pharmacies. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Cubans use community pharmacies amid medicine shortages", https://mediabias.news/health/cubans-use-community-pharmacies-amid-medicine-shortages