Regulation of Food Supplements Trade in Senegal.

Currently, food supplements benefit a high level of trust among consumers. Their use by society is not restricted, and their promotion is often a source of false information and deception. The objective of our work is to study trade regulation of food supplements marketed in Senegal by Forever living and Organo Gold. This is a retrospective study of oral food supplements with high-rotation, marketed by Forever and Organo Gold. A data collection questionnaire was administered to managers of both companies. Data were compared with current regulations and case law. Forever and Organo gold are selling "Ginko plus and Reishi" food supplements that meet drug definition by presentation and function. However, these companies are managed by non-pharmacists, who hold the majority of shares, and are not subject to any marketing conditions. Labeling of Ginko Plus and Ganoderma has limits on consumer information and health claims. Also, products are subject to a promotional campaign which can be harmful to consumers. In Senegal, there is no specific regulatory framework for food supplements. Thus, Forever and Organo Gold can be attacked for offense of illegal practice of pharmacy. Therefore, they must comply with the safety requirement, which would consist of a prior declaration to the regulatory authority, of labeling model and the nutritional status of food supplements used.