Gathered for their sixth general assembly on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Ouagadougou, members of the Union of Managers and Cashiers of Public Pharmaceutical Depots of Burkina Faso once again called on authorities to address their working conditions. Their core demand is the adoption of an official status for a profession they consider vital to the health system’s functioning.
Held under the theme “The resilience of volunteers serving the people,” the assembly allowed participants to voice their growing concerns over what they see as an increasingly alarming situation.
According to Ousmane Bolly, president of the Union of Managers and Cashiers of Public Pharmaceutical Depots of Burkina Faso, many managers have been working for decades without a clearly defined professional framework. “The people you see here have been working for 20 or 30 years, yet some don’t even earn the minimum wage,” he lamented.
The organisation claims to represent more than 3,000 managers across all health districts of the country.
Lack of status at the heart of the difficulties
For union leaders, the main issue remains the absence of a regulatory text governing the profession of public pharmaceutical depot manager or cashier. This situation leaves these workers highly vulnerable, exposing them to what they call abusive dismissals when they demand better working conditions.
Ousmane Bolly noted that some agents even fear publicly showing their union membership due to the risk of professional retaliation.
Salaries deemed insufficient
Participants also condemned the low wages paid to these workers. With monthly earnings often ranging between 20,000 and 25,000 FCFA, they say they can no longer cope with the rising cost of living.
Yet, they point out, pharmaceutical depot managers ensure the daily distribution of medicines and welcome patients in health facilities that are often under great pressure.
Steps taken over several years
The union says it has launched multiple initiatives since 2020 to improve its situation.
- Meetings with the ministries of Health and Public Service;
- Audiences with the Presidency of Faso;
- Participation in several workshops on the management of pharmaceutical structures.
Despite these efforts, union leaders regret the lack of concrete progress. They indicate having carried out a full census of their members and transmitted the data to the relevant authorities to facilitate the establishment of a regularization framework.
The union now calls for stronger state involvement in upgrading this profession, arguing that the resources generated by pharmaceutical depots alone cannot ensure lasting improvements in working conditions.
Closing the general assembly, Ousmane Bolly praised the mobilisation of participants while urging the authorities to respond quickly to their concerns.
