At a press conference held this Thursday, March 5, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Ibrahima Sy, assured the public that Softcare products sold on the Senegalese market are "safe." He stated that the investigation conducted by his department found no evidence of the use of expired raw materials in the manufacture of sanitary napkins and baby diapers.

Responding to statements by the director of inspection at the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) alleging attempts at bribery by the company Softcare to suppress the case, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene firmly rejected any idea of pressure, interference or attempted bribery in the handling of the case.

Ibrahima Sy claims to have no information to support this claim and invites the person making the accusations to provide evidence.

“If there was an attempted bribery, let the person concerned provide the evidence. I don’t have that information. I assume he has evidence since the case is pending before the courts. He’s the one who said there was an attempted bribery. I, for one, don’t have that information, I don’t have the data and I can’t really comment on that matter,” he said.

Regarding possible pressure exerted in the handling of the case, he was categorical.

"In any case, if it is the ministry, there is no pressure being exerted, neither from the ministry nor from the government. There is no pressure," he insisted.

While calling for more clarity in the accusations made, the minister believes that only the justice system can decide.

"I think you can also ask this person who made these accusations to be clearer. When he says that there are people who exerted pressure or who tried to bribe, he needs to say who. Let's be clear. I am transparent, I have nothing to hide. Justice is there and we will be able to find out if there was corruption or not," he concluded.

It is worth recalling that the director of inspection at the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Dr. Moussa Diallo, publicly distanced himself from his superiors, stating that raw materials unfit for consumption had been discovered in the company's factory.

He also revealed that he had been approached by officials from the company Softcare, who were of Chinese nationality, who allegedly offered him money and gifts to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings that had been observed.

Despite these alleged attempts at bribery, Dr. Diallo said he maintained his position, believing that protecting the health of Senegalese people should take precedence.

Moreover, his statements have highlighted deep dysfunctions and an internal crisis within the ARP, fueling the controversy surrounding this sensitive health issue.

While the minister calls for evidence to be produced and refers the matter to the courts, the discrepancy between the government's official conclusions and the accusations of the pharmaceutical inspection continues to fuel public debate.