Social tension is rising at the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP). The joint action of the SAMES section and the SUTSAS sub-section has announced a 72-hour strike, from Wednesday, January 7th to Friday, January 9th, 2026, to denounce what it describes as serious dysfunction, persistent poor governance, and the lack of concrete action from the ARP's General Directorate.

In a strike communiqué no. 3 made public following the evaluation of its second action plan, the junta welcomes a mobilization that has clearly increased and applauds the commitment of workers in this fight which it considers legitimate for justice, transparency and good governance within the ARP.

Serious accusations against the governance of the ARP

At the heart of the demands are numerous alleged irregularities. The unions point in particular to recruitment practices deemed clientelistic and partisan; arbitrary transfers and assignments, sometimes perceived as punitive; unilateral salary reductions and persistent salary inequalities; insufficient support for staff in regional centers; the lack of communication on the results of the human resources audit; and the granting of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certificates and storage authorizations deemed abnormal.

In addition to these grievances, there are suspicions of drug trafficking involving entities such as Avenir Pharma and Alliance médicale, as well as the Softcare case, which is regularly mentioned in union demands.

A risk to public health, according to the unions.

For the SAMES-SUTSAS consortium, these suspicions constitute a direct threat to the integrity of the ARP (Advanced Pharmaceutical Regulation), the security of the drug supply chain, and, consequently, public health. It reiterates that any drug that has not followed the legal channels is considered a substandard and falsified medical product (SFP), representing a major health risk to the population.

"The primary mission of the ARP is to guarantee citizens effective and quality medicines," the conjunction emphasizes, which believes that the agency must be a bulwark against drug trafficking, and not a weak link in the system.

Dialogue at a standstill despite an official meeting

The unions recall that a meeting between the General Directorate of the ARP and the joint, held on December 29, 2025 under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Regulatory Council (PCR), had made it possible to officially bring these dysfunctions to the attention of the agency authorities.

However, despite the efforts of the PCR, no concrete response was given to the expectations expressed, reinforcing the feeling of frustration and mistrust among the agents.

The union also denounces the refusal of the general management to set up an independent commission of inquiry, even though some cases would involve internal agents and affect the image and credibility of the institution.

A mobilization that could spread

Faced with what it describes as nepotistic management and a toxic work environment, the union has decided to maintain pressure through this third action plan, which includes a 72-hour strike at the ARP headquarters as well as in the regional offices of Kaolack and Saint-Louis. An evaluation is scheduled for January 10, 2026.

Union officials from the National Executive Bureau of SAMES and SUTSAS warn that, faced with the silence of the authorities, they do not rule out a paralysis of the health system, particularly in Dakar, or even across the entire national territory.

One clear requirement: transparency

While welcoming the involvement of the Chairman of the Regulatory Board and reaffirming their willingness to engage in dialogue, the unions demand the immediate establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to shed full light on the reported facts, determine responsibilities and implement transparent and dissuasive corrective measures.

For the SAMES–SUTSAS junction, the credibility of the ARP is at stake, which is called upon to fully play its role as a reliable pharmaceutical regulatory authority, respected in the sub-region, recognized in the Francophone space and on an African and international scale.