A recent investigation by the BBC Eye Investigations team has exposed Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian pharmaceutical company, for manufacturing and illegally exporting unlicensed opioids to West Africa, further intensifying the region’s opioid crisis.
The documentary, India’s Opioid Kings, reveals how the Mumbai-based company produces and distributes pills containing a highly dangerous and illegal combination of tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties. These drugs, unapproved for medical use anywhere in the world, pose significant health risks, including respiratory distress, seizures, and fatal overdoses.
Despite these dangers, the illicit pharmaceuticals have flooded the streets of Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, where they are widely abused. BBC Eye investigators traced the supply chain back to Aveo Pharmaceuticals, using an undercover operative who posed as an African businessman seeking opioid shipments for Nigeria. During a covert meeting, Vinod Sharma, a director at Aveo, was filmed admitting that the drugs induce a state of relaxation and euphoria when taken in high doses. When confronted about the harm they cause, Sharma justified the operation by stating, “This is business.”
Widespread Impact on Public Health in West Africa
The proliferation of these opioids has fueled a growing public health crisis in West Africa, particularly among young people. In Ghana’s Tamale city, local authorities have formed task forces to combat the widespread abuse of these drugs. Alhassan Maham, a local chief, described the situation as a major societal threat, stating that opioid addiction is “consuming the sanity of young people.” One addict in Tamale admitted, “The drugs have wasted our lives.”
Nigeria, with its population of over 225 million, remains the largest market for these opioids. Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), expressed grave concerns over the crisis, stating, “Opioids are devastating our youth, our families—it’s in every community in Nigeria.”
Regulatory Breaches and International Response
Aveo Pharmaceuticals’ actions not only violate ethical pharmaceutical practices but also breach Indian laws, which prohibit the export of unlicensed drugs unless they comply with regulatory standards in the importing country. Ghana’s National Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed that the specific combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol in Aveo’s drugs is illegal within its borders.
Despite the gravity of these revelations, Aveo Pharmaceuticals has remained silent, refusing to respond to the BBC’s inquiries. Meanwhile, the Indian government, through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing its commitment to global public health. The CDSCO has assured that Indian pharmaceutical exports are closely monitored and has pledged to take immediate action against companies involved in malpractice.
As regulatory agencies in West Africa and India intensify their scrutiny, the growing opioid crisis highlights the urgent need for stronger regulatory enforcement, compliance management, and cross-border cooperation to prevent the proliferation of unlicensed pharmaceuticals and protect public health.
