This is despite the fact that Cubans are being prevented from purchasing pacemakers and kidney dialysis machines by the US blockade. Healthcare is free for all citizens. There is a doctor for every 174 inhabitants and six hospital beds per 1,000 people. The average hospital stay in intermediate care is ten days. There are tremendous economic savings in medicine in Cuba because companies do not compete for sales.
Researchers work together instead of in competition.
There is also no need for large expenditures on advertising. In the US, a large share of the money spent on medicine goes into advertising and promotion. Much of the promotion is to influence physicians' prescribing habits. Cuban companies are similar to US non-profits. The primary purpose of hospitals and nursing homes in Cuba is to care for people, not to make money.