In the middle of the 1960s, American pharmaceutical company Pfizer began selling a drug called Viagra. The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil, which treats erectile dysfunction (premature ejaculation is the most common side effect). Since its inception, Viagra has become one of the world’s most popular and prescribed medications, with over 120 million prescriptions written worldwide in 2018.
The medication’s popularity has caused it to be illegally replicated and counterfeited in many different countries and regions around the world. While it’s not yet clear where and how these medications were manufactured, it’s known that the black market for them continues to exist.
As it turns out, it’s not yet possible to buy Viagra in Cuba. In fact, the only way to get the drug is to bring it yourself from abroad. Fortunately for your intrepid pharmacist, the answer to this riddle is yes! With a little planning and strategizing, you can bring sildenafil into the country and consume it safely. Let’s take a look at how.
Cuba: An Overview
To begin with, let’s take a quick look at Cuba as a whole. Officially known as the Republic of Cuba, this Caribbean island nation is actually made up of two countries: Cuba and the communist-run island of the same name. To put this into perspective, around 12.2 million people live in Cuba, and just over 600,000 live in the island of Cuba. As we’ve established, a lot of people live there. The country is also known to have the second-largest Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere after Argentina, with a population of around 20,000.
This is in contrast to the rest of Latin America, which has a much larger Jewish community. For example, in 2018, there were only around 11,000 Jews living in Paraguay, which is more than a quarter of the country’s population. Inequality is a serious problem in Cuba, with the country having the third-highest income disparity in the world. Some 40 percent of Cubans are classified as poor, and many suffer from housing and food shortages. The country was also affected by the 2008 financial crisis, with around 35,000 businesses and farms being dissolved in the Great Recession.
Despite these challenges, Cuba boasts a high literacy rate and a very active cultural life. The country now has one of the most advanced and stable computer networks in the Caribbean, with 4.7 million subscribers using the Zelle platform to send and receive emails. Zelle, which was developed and launched in Cuba, is a state-run telecoms company. Founded in 2011 and named after the late President Barack Obama’s sister, Maya, Zelle has since expanded to six other Latin American nations: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Colombia. Additionally, the island nation is well-known for its music and arts communities.
Citizenship
Depending on when you visited Cuba, you may not yet have acquired Cuban citizenship. If you’re a foreigner, you are technically only a legal resident. In April 2021, the country began implementing a new law that gives everyone born after January 1, 1959, automatic citizenship. If you’re a merchant or tourist visiting the country, you could be eligible for a temporary license to stay and work in Cuba. This is known as a “charter,” and it’s usually valid for six months to a year.
Since 2016, travel to Cuba from the United States has been permitted, and thousands of Americans now live and work in the country. It’s not yet easy for travelers to acquire Cuban residency, as only around 300 passports are approved for travel to the island. Unfortunately, this will entail a lengthy and expensive process, and you’ll need a sponsor to help finance the request.
Why Is Viagra Illegal In Cuba?
If you’re traveling to Cuba for pharmaceutical reasons, you’ll need a prescription or a personal exemption to bring the drug into the country. One of the main reasons why Viagra and other similar pharmaceuticals are illegal in Cuba is due to the country’s strict regulations regarding medications. According to the 1962 Cuban Constitution, “No person may import, produce, or sell any pharmaceutical product without a license from the Ministry of Public Health.” And, “[n]o person may sell or give away any medications or medical products without a prescription from a health professional.”
While it’s not explicitly stated in the Constitution, the government is highly likely to have banned these medications because of their link to sexual dysfunction. Cuba became a republic in 1902, and their early years were marked by economic and political unrest. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the country began to slowly transition from a “closed” society to a more “open” one. At this point in time, it was already too late to bring sildenafil to Cuba. The island had already banned all pharmaceutical imports back in 1961, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that Cuba would permit the importation of some medications, including the likes of Viagra and Cialis.
Where Can You Obtain Viagra In Cuba?
Since it’s now possible to acquire Viagra in Cuba, you might be wondering where to go to do so. For a country that only recently opened up to tourism, you’d expect there to be some shortages of basic amenities. Fortunately, this isn’t the case, and there are more than a few places where you can buy the drug. The first step is to check with your personal physician to see if they have a prescription for you to fill. Many doctors will write a “standing order” for the medication, which makes it easy for patients to get the drug without having to see the doctor first. Next up, you’ll need to find a pharmacy that handles medical prescriptions and is authorized to export medications to Cuba. Take your time in this phase, as you don’t want to rush into buying something that will later be illegal to possess.
After you’ve filled your prescription, you’ll need to find a way to get the medication into the country. The easiest and safest way to do this is to hire a licensed car driver who is knowledgeable on the customs procedures involved with bringing foreign currency into Cuba. Remember that if you’re caught with Viagra in your possession, you could face serious legal consequences, including prison time. Although it’s not yet clear how exactly the American government will respond to the situation, they are likely to impose some kind of sanction on entities and individuals involved with illegally importing or exporting pharmaceuticals to Cuba.
Bringing Viagra To Cuba
When it comes to traveling to Cuba for pharmaceutical reasons, you need to prepare yourself for the island nation’s sometimes unpredictable medical regulations. Even if you have a prescription for Viagra, it may not be possible for you to bring it into the country. Sometimes, Cuban doctors will refuse to prescribe the medication, and sometimes, they may even remove it from the country’s official drug list. Since it’s not yet clear how the American government will respond to the situation, it’s best to assume that everything is unpredictable and that you should be prepared for the worst.
The first step in preparing for your trip to Cuba is to contact the American Embassy or consulate in Havana. They will be able to provide you with the most current information on residency and customs regulations. Additionally, they can help you to acquire a Cuban visa if you’re planning on traveling to the country. This may be difficult, as the embassy restricts the number of tourist visas it issues each year. There is also a possibility that American officials may deny you a visa, as it is not yet clear whether or not you’ll be allowed to travel to Cuba under Trump’s new policies.
Cuba: A Changing Country
The American government has loosened up its policies regarding travel to Cuba, and more and more people are now able to visit the country, legally or illegally. While it’s not yet clear what changes, if any, will be made to the island’s pharmaceutical regulations, it’s a safe bet that they’ll be adjusted to allow for greater freedom of movement. This may mean that, in the future, you’ll be able to acquire Viagra in Cuba without having to hide it in your luggage.