Regulator under pressure over expired raw materials

Senegal’s health authorities are under pressure after expired raw materials were found at a factory producing baby nappies and sanitary towels, reports RFI. Conflicting statements from the country's regulator, along with allegations of attempted corruption and delays in an official inquiry, are fuelling concern. This after 1 300kg of expired raw materials was discovered at a Softcare factory, a subsidiary of a Chinese group specialising in the manufacture of baby nappies and sanitary towels. On 8 December, the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP) ordered the withdrawal from the market of the brand’s products, but reversed its decision a week later, stating that no expired materials had been used in the manufacture of the nappies. The ARP's contradictory reports, coupled with accusations of attempts to bribe the agency’s inspectors, have fuelled doubts in Senegal. The opposition FRAPP (Front for a Popular and Pan-African Anti-Imperialist Revolution) is calling for clarification. ‘Who is telling the truth? On what scientific and technical grounds are these two contradictory statements based? asked Magor Dieng, a member of FRAPP. ‘And above all, were Senegal’s children exposed to potentially dangerous products or not?’ On 19 December, the Ministry of Health announced a joint mission with the Ministry of Trade to shed light on the affair. Two weeks later, the conclusions of that fact-finding mission have still not been made public. Dr Serigne Modou Babou said: ‘There have been reports for months, even for more than a year, of opaque and questionable management within the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.’ ‘We recently submitted a letter requesting the publication of the ARP audit.’ A parliamentary inquiry has also been set up to inform MPs on the issue.