Asthmatic patients in Cuba have been affected by the US blockade due to limitations on the acquisition of drugs, mainly inhaled steroids, reported Dr. Robert Aguila de la Coba, president of the Cuban Society of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.

The specialist noted that those drugs are been obtained from the European market at a higher cost than if they were purchased in the United Sates because of the US genocidal policy imposed on the island for some five decades now, and which is getting worse each time.

There are also limitations for the acquisition of other products for the treatment of bronchial asthma, such as antihistamines of different types and bronchodilators, stated the expert.

Dr. Aguila said that despite those limitations, Cuba offers treatments to those patients by way of the health basic set, and in the case of uncontrolled -asthma patients, there is a resolution by the Ministry of Health, which ensures those drugs purchased at high prices are freely provided.

There are more than one million people suffering from asthma. The incidence rate is 2.5 percent per thousand inhabitants per year, while prevalence is 13.5 percent of the population, due to different factors including the weather. The relative humidity in the island is very high and the changes in weather conditions affect patients and may result in an asthmatic crisis, the expert said.

Dr. Xiomara Lopez, Master in Infectious Diseases and Human Nutrition, said that despite having carried out a steady progress related to studies and investigations throughout the world, an increase in the prevalence and mortality of bronchial asthma has been shown in all countries.  

Dr. Lopez explained that when the parents are allergic, their children easily become asthmatic or allergic persons. There are different allergens: the allergy brought on by environment (including mites) food, medication, among others.

Cuba has national program developed by 250 allergists and there are offices in all communities both at primary and secondary level. There is allergology service and hospital care, which include specific tests.

For asthma treatment, mainly in the case of asthma caused by mites, Cuba has Valergen vaccine, which has been created by the National Center of Bio-Preparations, via subcutaneous and sublingual; it is an immunotherapy that has proved effectiveness both for asthmatic and allergic patients, pointed out Dr. Lee.

A translation by: Silke Paez Carr

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