An undercover investigation by the BBC has discovered that Indian pharmaceutical company Aveo Pharmaceuticals is illegally exporting highly addictive opioids to West Africa, exacerbating public health crises in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria. The drugs, which combine tapentadol and carisoprodol, are wreaking havoc among the youth and generating profits amid growing addiction issues.
Uncovering the Shadows: Indian Pharma Firm's Role in West Africa's Opioid Crisis
Uncovering the Shadows: Indian Pharma Firm's Role in West Africa's Opioid Crisis
A BBC Eye investigation reveals how Aveo Pharmaceuticals is implicated in fueling the opioid epidemic in West Africa by manufacturing unlicensed and addictive drugs.
In a shocking investigation by BBC Eye, it has come to light that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Mumbai, India, is manufacturing and exporting unlicensed opioids, contributing significantly to a burgeoning public health crisis in West Africa, particularly in nations like Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire. These drugs, marketed with different brand names, contain a dangerous mix of tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties.
These concocted pills are not authorized for use anywhere globally and pose severe health risks, including respiratory failures and potential death from overdose. Despite the dangers, these opioids have gained notoriety as cheap street drugs across West Africa, leading to widespread availability and alarming addiction rates. The BBC's investigation found that Aveo-branded products were openly sold in towns and cities across Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire.
Utilizing an undercover operative who infiltrated Aveo's manufacturing facility, the BBC obtained critical footage of company director Vinod Sharma showcasing these harmful products. When the operative indicated plans to distribute the pills among Nigerian teens, Sharma appeared unfazed, acknowledging the pills' addictive nature and the resultant harm, trivializing it as "business."
In response to the escalating crisis, local leaders in Ghana, like chief Alhassan Maham in Tamale, have mobilized volunteer task forces to combat the drug trade. Despite their efforts, which involve raids on suspected dealers, the availability of these drugs represents a persistent challenge. Such operations have unveiled Aveo-branded pills, including one identified as Tafrodol, a prevalent local opioid.
Nigerian authorities have voiced concerns about the devastating impact of illegal opioids, estimating that approximately four million Nigerians currently struggle with addiction. Following a crackdown on tramadol, a similar opioid painkiller, Aveo switched to manufacturing and exporting combinations of tapentadol and carisoprodol, cleverly circumventing regulations and legal restrictions.
Medical experts express alarm at the introduction of this dangerous mix, noting that both drugs induce deep sedation, heightening the risk of overdose. The implications extend beyond individual health crises, with the potential for severe withdrawal symptoms amplifying dependence issues among users.
Despite Indian regulations prohibiting the manufacturing and exportation of unlicensed drugs, Aveo's practices indicate blatant disregard for international health standards. When contacted by the BBC regarding these allegations, the company remained silent, while Indian drug regulators reaffirmed their commitment to upholding public health and monitoring pharmaceutical exports.
As the local task force in Tamale called for action by publicly incinerating seized drugs, the reality remains grim. As they destroy a fraction of the supply, Aveo and similar companies continue to produce vast quantities of these opioids, profiting immensely while leaving a trail of addiction and suffering in their wake. The situation highlights an urgent need for international cooperation to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable populations across West Africa.
These concocted pills are not authorized for use anywhere globally and pose severe health risks, including respiratory failures and potential death from overdose. Despite the dangers, these opioids have gained notoriety as cheap street drugs across West Africa, leading to widespread availability and alarming addiction rates. The BBC's investigation found that Aveo-branded products were openly sold in towns and cities across Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire.
Utilizing an undercover operative who infiltrated Aveo's manufacturing facility, the BBC obtained critical footage of company director Vinod Sharma showcasing these harmful products. When the operative indicated plans to distribute the pills among Nigerian teens, Sharma appeared unfazed, acknowledging the pills' addictive nature and the resultant harm, trivializing it as "business."
In response to the escalating crisis, local leaders in Ghana, like chief Alhassan Maham in Tamale, have mobilized volunteer task forces to combat the drug trade. Despite their efforts, which involve raids on suspected dealers, the availability of these drugs represents a persistent challenge. Such operations have unveiled Aveo-branded pills, including one identified as Tafrodol, a prevalent local opioid.
Nigerian authorities have voiced concerns about the devastating impact of illegal opioids, estimating that approximately four million Nigerians currently struggle with addiction. Following a crackdown on tramadol, a similar opioid painkiller, Aveo switched to manufacturing and exporting combinations of tapentadol and carisoprodol, cleverly circumventing regulations and legal restrictions.
Medical experts express alarm at the introduction of this dangerous mix, noting that both drugs induce deep sedation, heightening the risk of overdose. The implications extend beyond individual health crises, with the potential for severe withdrawal symptoms amplifying dependence issues among users.
Despite Indian regulations prohibiting the manufacturing and exportation of unlicensed drugs, Aveo's practices indicate blatant disregard for international health standards. When contacted by the BBC regarding these allegations, the company remained silent, while Indian drug regulators reaffirmed their commitment to upholding public health and monitoring pharmaceutical exports.
As the local task force in Tamale called for action by publicly incinerating seized drugs, the reality remains grim. As they destroy a fraction of the supply, Aveo and similar companies continue to produce vast quantities of these opioids, profiting immensely while leaving a trail of addiction and suffering in their wake. The situation highlights an urgent need for international cooperation to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable populations across West Africa.
