On the eve of the installation of a new director general, the situation within the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) is causing serious concern. The merging of the SAMES/ARP section and the SUTSAS/ARP sub-section raises concerns about what it describes as a drift in the institution's administrative management.

In a statement released on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the two unions denounced a series of practices deemed contrary to the principles of good governance. They specifically cited a wave of permanent employment contracts (CDI) that allegedly failed to comply with standard recruitment and staff retention procedures.

According to them, these decisions come at a time when some trainees who have accumulated a year of service have been dismissed.

Another point of concern raised is the situation of a technical director appointed by ministerial decree who has also reportedly awarded himself a permanent contract. The unions consider this a problematic move in terms of administrative compliance.

Beyond recruitment issues, the unions point to a management style they consider lacking in transparency. They denounce the allocation of tasks to agents who do not always possess the required skills, or even to interns, to the detriment of qualified internal staff.

A situation which, according to them, is beginning to raise questions even among some technical and financial partners.

Criticism also extends to the conduct of certain nationwide activities, notably a mapping mission of pharmaceutical depots, promotional agencies, and industries across the 14 regions. The unions regret the lack of involvement from the regional technical centers, despite their direct relevance to the project.

Furthermore, they question the financial management methods of certain operations. They cite the payment of mission orders via the partnership unit, whereas the ARP has dedicated administrative and financial services as well as an accounting officer.

Finally, the unions denounce a lack of transparency in the distribution of responsibilities for certain strategic activities, mentioning grey areas between different internal entities.

Faced with this situation, the SAMES/SUTSAS union is calling for an urgent response from the authorities. Specifically, it is demanding financial and human resources audits of the outgoing management team, as well as the suspension of all sensitive administrative decisions until the new leadership team takes office.

The unions also call on the highest state authorities to take the necessary measures to guarantee the transparency and regularity of actions taken during this transition period.

While reaffirming their vigilance, the two organizations assure that they remain mobilized to defend a "strong, credible and exclusively public health" ARP.