The Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dental Surgeons of Senegal (SAMES) is raising the alarm about the situation deemed "extremely worrying" at the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), an institution that is nevertheless central to the protection of public health and the safety of medicines in Senegal.

In a statement released on Monday, January 12, 2026, the National Executive Bureau of SAMES expressed its "consternation" and "profound indignation" at what it described as a serious lapse in governance within the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP). The union specifically highlighted repeated scandals, including the Softcare affair, which has become emblematic of a management style characterized by opacity, arbitrariness, and disregard for regulations.

An "ethical and institutional failure"

According to SAMES, the evidence gathered and documented by its ARP section reveals opaque management practices, serious suspicions of corruption, and blatant violations of applicable procedures. The Softcare case, the union emphasizes, constitutes a flagrant violation of Decree No. 2022-824 of April 7, 2022, the cornerstone of pharmaceutical regulation in Senegal.

"Any breach of pharmaceutical regulations is a serious act, tantamount to deliberately endangering the lives of populations," warns SAMES, which reminds us that such acts fall squarely within the criminal sphere.

Clientelism and nepotism denounced

Beyond the suspicions of corruption, the union also denounces practices of clientelistic recruitment, favoritism, and nepotism, which it describes as a veritable mode of governance within the ARP. These practices, it argues, undermine the principles of transparency, fairness, and merit in access to public employment, in direct violation of the law establishing the agency.

Questioning of the Minister of Health and the Order of Pharmacists

Faced with this situation, SAMES is directly appealing to the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene. Having been informed for several months of serious instances of non-compliance, the union perceives his silence and lack of decisive action as a "major failing," potentially amounting to a heavy moral responsibility, or even passive complicity.

The National Council of the Order of Pharmacists of Senegal is also implicated. SAMES believes it can no longer hide behind a facade of neutrality and calls on it to clearly define disciplinary responsibilities in order to preserve the credibility and dignity of the pharmaceutical profession.

Support for taking legal action

Faced with the continued inaction of the administrative authorities, SAMES announces its full support for referring the matter to the competent judicial authorities. The union states its confidence in the public prosecutor to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the acts of corruption, favoritism, and breach of equality, and to punish the perpetrators in accordance with the Penal Code.

While reassuring the Senegalese population of its determination to defend the safety of medicines and health products, SAMES declares itself in a state of permanent mobilization.

A union mobilization has been announced.

The union reserves the right to use all necessary union, legal and institutional means to end impunity and restore the credibility, authority and integrity of the ARP.

He finally warned the General Directorate of the ARP and ministerial authorities against any attempt to intimidate or pressure the agency's workers. "No infringement on the rights, dignity, or safety of our colleagues will be tolerated," SAMES declared, promising a firm, organized, and uncompromising union response.