The Senegalese National Assembly has released a summary report on the investigation into the commercialization of SOFTCARE products. The parliamentary mission, initiated by the Health Commission, was conducted between December 2025 and April 2026. The report highlights critical non-conformities, institutional divergences, and management failures in the handling of expired raw materials. The mission's findings led to ten recommendations to enhance transparency and sanitary safety.
The inspection on October 29, 2025, identified five critical non-conformities, including the absence of a responsible pharmacist and the alleged use of expired raw materials. The mission also verified the destruction of 2,260 kg of expired products through incineration, supported by tracking documents and destruction certificates. These findings underscore significant regulatory and management lapses in the handling of SOFTCARE products.
The parliamentary mission conducted twenty hearings, including with inspectors from the Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), top management from SOFTCARE, ministers, and consumer associations. These interactions provided a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding the commercialization of SOFTCARE products. The mission's report emphasizes the need for improved oversight and enforcement of regulatory standards.
One of the critical issues identified was the absence of a decree for application, as stipulated in Article 42 of Law No. 2023-06 of June 13, 2023. This regulatory gap has contributed to the challenges in managing and regulating SOFTCARE products effectively. The mission's recommendations include measures to address this normative shortfall and ensure better regulatory compliance.
Internal exchanges, including WhatsApp messages, suggested instructions for using expired raw materials, although there was no concrete evidence of their integration into production. This finding raises concerns about potential practices that could compromise product safety and efficacy. The mission's report calls for enhanced monitoring and verification of raw materials used in production.
The Senegalese National Assembly's report on SOFTCARE products is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and accountability in the country's regulatory and health sectors. The findings and recommendations from this mission are expected to inform policy and regulatory reforms aimed at improving public health and safety standards.
The release of the parliamentary mission's report is a significant step towards addressing the issues identified in the management and commercialization of SOFTCARE products. The implementation of the mission's recommendations will be crucial in ensuring that regulatory standards are met and that public health safety is prioritized.
Key points
- Critical non-conformities in SOFTCARE products, including expired raw materials and lack of responsible pharmacist, were identified by the Senegalese parliamentary mission.
- The mission recommended measures to enhance transparency and sanitary safety, including the destruction of 2,260 kg of expired products.
- The absence of a decree for application, as stipulated in Article 42 of Law No. 2023-06, has contributed to regulatory challenges in managing SOFTCARE products.
