A recent investigation by BBC Eye revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Mumbai, was unlawfully exporting a dangerous combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol to Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire, exacerbating a public health crisis in parts of West Africa.
The ban on these drugs followed a raid conducted by India’s Food and Drug Administration at the implicated factory, resulting in the seizure of Aveo’s entire inventory and the cessation of further production. Legal actions against the company are anticipated.
Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, India’s Drugs Controller General, has also revoked the authorization for the manufacture and export of these drugs. The ban encompasses all formulations of tapentadol and carisoprodol.
In an update, the BBC cited a letter from Raghuvanshi indicating that the permission to manufacture and export these drugs has been rescinded immediately. The agency expressed its readiness to take action against any individuals involved in illegal activities that could damage the country’s reputation. The FDA has been directed to conduct additional inspections to curb the supply of these drugs.
Tapentadol is a potent opioid, while carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant that is banned in Europe due to its addictive nature. Although the United States permits short-term use (up to three weeks), withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, and hallucinations.
The combination of these two drugs is not approved for use anywhere globally, as it can lead to respiratory issues and seizures, with the potential for fatal overdoses.
Despite the associated risks, these opioids have gained popularity as street drugs in many West African countries due to their low cost and widespread availability. Export records indicate that Aveo and its affiliate, Westfin International, have sent millions of these tablets to West African nations.
Nigeria, home to a population of 225 million, represents the largest market for these pills. The National Bureau of Statistics estimates that approximately four million Nigerians engage in some form of opioid abuse.
In the course of the investigation, the BBC dispatched an undercover agent posing as an African businessman interested in supplying opioids to Nigeria. This operative gained access to one of Aveo’s factories in India, where they recorded a conversation with Vinod Sharma, one of Aveo’s directors, who showcased the same hazardous products that the BBC discovered being sold throughout West Africa.
The agent informed Sharma of his intention to market the pills to Nigerian teenagers, claiming they were fond of the product. Sharma responded affirmatively, explaining that two or three pills could help users “relax” and achieve a “high.” He later acknowledged that the product was “very harmful,” adding, “nowadays, this is business.”
Neither Sharma nor Aveo Pharmaceuticals provided a response to the BBC's request for comment following the publication of the initial investigation. Additionally, the BBC uncovered packets of the pills bearing the Aveo logo available for sale on the streets of Nigeria and in Côte d'Ivoire.