An investigation by BBC Eye has uncovered that an Indian pharmaceutical company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, is producing unlicensed and highly addictive opioids. These opioids are being illegally exported to West African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D’Ivoire, causing a major public health crisis in the region.
The pills manufactured by Aveo Pharmaceuticals are packaged to mimic legitimate medicines but contain a harmful mix of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant in Europe. This combination of drugs is not licensed for use anywhere in the world and can lead to breathing difficulties, seizures, and even death.
Despite these risks, the opioids are popular as street drugs in West Africa due to their low cost and easy availability. BBC World Service found packets of these drugs branded with the Aveo logo being sold on the streets of various West African cities.
An undercover investigation by the BBC revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals’ director, Vinod Sharma, acknowledged the harmful nature of the drugs but continued to promote their sale, even suggesting they could be used to get high. The company’s products have caused devastation in communities across West Africa, with young people being particularly affected.
Authorities in West Africa are struggling to combat the opioid crisis fueled by Aveo’s illegal exports. The pills have been seized in multiple countries, and efforts to regulate their sale have been met with challenges.
In response to these findings, the Indian drugs regulator, CDSCO, has stated that they are committed to ensuring the responsible export of pharmaceuticals from India. They have pledged to take action against any pharmaceutical company found to be involved in malpractice.
The BBC’s investigation sheds light on the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry, where profit is prioritized over public health. The impact of Aveo Pharmaceuticals’ actions on the people of West Africa serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unregulated drug production and distribution.