The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, an Indian company, for allegedly producing and importing dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, condemned the company for manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225 drugs containing a harmful mix of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant. These substances, according to NAFDAC, pose severe health risks such as respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and even death.
NAFDAC’s investigation revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, led by Vinod Sharma, was behind the production of these dangerous drugs and their distribution in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. The drugs were found on the streets of these countries, raising alarm over their misuse.
Furthermore, the agency’s investigation confirmed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals was also involved in the illegal exportation of high-dose Tramadol, above 100mg, which is not approved by NAFDAC. Undercover footage revealed the company’s role in distributing these opioids as street drugs, contributing to widespread abuse across the region.
In response to these findings, NAFDAC has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals and blocked any future registration of its products in Nigeria. The agency emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health through rigorous pharmaceutical regulations and international best practices.
