Cuban Customs reports on Ministry of Public Health regulations and seizures

The General Customs Office of the Republic of Cuba published a reminder about measures taken by the Ministry of Public Health.

This is the message they have spread on their official profile. Facebook:

Resolution No. 104 of 2022 of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 28 of April 12, 2022, updates and unifies the border treatment for the import and export of medicines, equipment, medical devices, and substances with effects similar to drugs, narcotics, and psychotropic substances through the different established modalities of international trafficking.

In this sense, it establishes the destination of these products when they are confiscated by the competent authority.

The Ministry of Public Health controls the import, export, production, storage, distribution, circulation, sale, and use or application of drugs - narcotics and psychotropic substances (used for medical purposes). 

The General Customs Office of the Republic, as the border authority, enforces the provisions of MINSAP regulations.

What does the MINSAP resolution establish?

Regulation of import and export of controlled substances

• Standards are established for the import and export of drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances.
• Example: If a hospital needs to import morphine for palliative treatment, it must request prior authorization from MINSAP and meet specific requirements.

Restrictions on the transportation of substances

• Se prohibits use postal shipments and non-commercial cargo to transport certain controlled drugs.
• Example: A citizen cannot receive a medication containing fentanyl by mail from abroad, since its importation is only permitted under strict medical regulations.

Rules for international travelers

• Travelers can import certain controlled drugs for personal use, but they must have a permit issued by the health authority.
• Example: A person traveling with anxiolytics such as diazepam needs to prove with a medical prescription that they are using them legally.

Seizure of substances at the border

• If a person tries introducing controlled drugs into the country without authorization, the customs authorities they proceed to confiscation.
• What happens to confiscated products?
  • The health authority is notified.
  • It is being analyzed whether they can be used in the health system or whether they should be destroyed.
  • It follows a joint procedure with Customs to determine the destination of the seized products.
• Example: If a traveler attempts to enter with an excessive amount of tramadol without justifying its use, Customs confiscates the medication and reports it to MINSAP.

Compliance monitoring and review

• It is established that the first deputy minister MINSAP must conduct periodic reviews to ensure that standards are met in hospitals and pharmacies.

You can read the full resolution in esta página.