NAFDAC Bans Indian Firm Aveo Pharmaceuticals for Allegedly Importing Dangerous Opioid Combinations into West Africa, Including Nigeria
In a statement released on Friday, NAFDAC, led by Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the blacklisting of Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, an Indian firm, over its alleged involvement in the production and distribution of dangerous opioid combinations in West Africa, including Nigeria.
The agency accused the company of manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225, drugs that contain a harmful mix of Tapentadol (a potent opioid) and Carisoprodol (a banned muscle relaxant). NAFDAC warned that these substances pose serious health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and even death.
“NAFDAC has officially blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, which has been implicated in the illegal production and export of these dangerous opioids into West Africa, including Nigeria. Investigations revealed that the company, managed by Vinod Sharma, based on the outskirts of Mumbai, is responsible for producing Tafrodol and Royal 225, which contain dangerous combinations of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol,” the statement explained.
The agency also highlighted findings from an investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which uncovered that packets of these drugs, branded with the Aveo Pharmaceuticals logo, were found on the streets of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Additionally, NAFDAC confirmed that the company was involved in the illegal export of high-dose Tramadol (over 100mg), a strength that is neither registered nor approved by NAFDAC. Undercover footage showed Vinod Sharma admitting to distributing these opioids widely as street drugs in West Africa.
In response to these grave findings, NAFDAC took immediate action to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals and prevent the future registration of its products in Nigeria. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through strict enforcement of international pharmaceutical regulations, including rigorous product registration, Good Manufacturing Practice inspections, post-marketing surveillance, and pre-shipment checks for high-risk imports.
