LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Public health concerns are reaching a breaking point in Senegal following allegations that Softcare, a subsidiary of the Chinese group Sunda International, utilized nearly 1,300 kilograms of expired raw materials in the production of sanitary pads and diapers.
The Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), initially flagged the unsuitable materials, including polyethylene film during a factory inspection late last year, sparking a nationwide debate over menstrual safety and corporate accountability. Despite an initial order to withdraw products from the market, the regulator’s subsequent claim that the materials were never used has triggered accusations of a government cover-up and systemic negligence.
The controversy has moved from regulatory offices to the streets, as women report distressing physical side effects linked to the brand. Pharmacist Alima Niang, a prominent health advocate on social media, told AFP that multiple women have reported severe itching after using the pads, a claim echoed by users on TikTok who described “burning sensations” and allergic reactions.
Dr. Diabel Drame, a leader in the Senegalese doctors’ union, warned of the grave medical risks involved, stating that “such sensitive products, when manufactured with inappropriate materials, can cause irritation, itching, allergies or even infection.”
Also, corruption allegations have intensified the scandal, casting a shadow over the pharmaceutical regulator’s sudden change in stance. Moussa Diallo, the official who led the original inspection, publicly rejected his department’s U-turn, claiming he declined multiple bribery attempts.
Diallo alleged that Softcare agents visited his office “on four occasions, carrying suitcases full of money and gifts.” While Softcare has dismissed these claims as “defamatory” and “slanderous,” the company admits its operations are currently at a reduced capacity due to widespread public mistrust.
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Political pressure is mounting as the Front for a Popular and Pan-African Anti-Imperialist Revolution (FRAPP) citizen movement and opposition MPs accuse the Ministry of Health of being “complicit” through its silence. During a recent rally, MP Guy Marius Sagna, lamented the three-week delay in official reaction, asserting that “enough is enough” regarding the lack of transparency.
Similar quality complaints against the brand have surfaced in Cameroon, suggesting a potential regional crisis in menstrual hygiene standards across West and Central Africa. Government investigators and a parliamentary fact-finding mission are now conducting hearings to determine the validity of the safety reports and the legality of the product’s reinstatement.
This case underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight in the African menstrual health market, where Nguvu Collective surveys have previously highlighted significant hygiene disparities between global brands.
