The Autonomous Union of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dental Surgeons of Senegal (SAMES)/ARP Section, has taken a stand to denounce what it calls "persistent dysfunctions" within the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP).

In a statement, the union members point to a deep institutional crisis, revealed by the SOFTCARE affair.

According to SAMES, this case cannot be considered an isolated incident. "Rather, it represents the culmination of a deep-seated institutional malaise," the statement emphasizes. Doctors and pharmacists cite practices contrary to the principles of good governance, including "management that we consider nepotistic, appointments perceived as based on family favoritism, and opaque and excessively centralized governance," the healthcare professionals warn.

In addition to these accusations, there are "serious suspicions of corruption and conflicts of interest" which undermine the credibility of the institution and demoralize its technical and scientific staff, according to the union.

For SAMES, the consequences extend beyond the internal sphere. "Any weakening of the ARP has direct consequences on the health security of citizens, the fight against substandard or falsified medicines, and the confidence of Senegal's partners," the note reads.

Having exhausted internal dialogue mechanisms, SAMES claims to have appealed to the highest state authorities. "Our approach is neither political nor personal; it aims exclusively to preserve the institution and restore its credibility," insists the ARP section.

The union is therefore calling for an urgent reform of the agency's governance. "The SOFTCARE affair must be understood as a wake-up call revealing a broader institutional crisis," the statement warns.

SAMES concludes by reaffirming its commitment to contributing, "in a responsible and constructive manner, to the improvement of the governance of the ARP, in the best interests of public health and the well-being of the Senegalese people."