Study of Medicine E-Trade Regulation in Senegal

Introduction: E-trade covers, in addition to online selling activities, services relating to internet use. Several European states already authorize medicines e-trade, with or without prescription. In Senegal, fake drugs online sale in violation of pharmaceutical monopoly has provoked many debates, both among health professionals and patients. The objective of our work is to contribute to development of medicine e-trade regulation in Senegal. Methodology: It’s a retrospective and cross-sectional study, carried out from October 1st, 2018 to July 31th, 2019, using a documentary review and interviews. Data were compared with those of the literature. Results: There is a significant institutional mechanism marked by establishment of structures and/or control of e-trade. At legal level, law on electronic transactions and its implementing decree encourage exercise of e-trade activity. Violations of rights of person with regard to processing of personal data are sanctioned. However, technical service provider has an obligation to inform consumer, who may apply withdrawal right, due to unavailability of goods or services ordered. As for drug trade, practice of pharmacy is well supervised. Monopoly of medicine sale is reserved for pharmacists, who must exercise their activity in a licensed pharmacy. However, medicines e-trade falling within same logic, and coming under full responsibility of pharmacist, is not taken into account by our current law on pharmacy. However, law on electronic transactions creates conditions for medicines e-trade exercise. Conclusion: In Senegal, medicines e-trade does not have any specific regulations. However, law on e-trade has set up conditions for exercising medicine e-trade