NAFDAC Blacklists Indian Firm For Importing Hard Drugs

An Indian company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, has been blacklisted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control based on allegations that it produces and imports dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria.

NAFDAC accused the Indian company of producing and dispensing Tafrodol and Royal 225, two illegal muscle relaxants that are combined in a harmful combination, Tapentadol, an opioid, and Carisoprodol, according to a statement released by its director general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on Friday.

According to NAFDAC, the substances present serious health risks, including death, seizures, overdoses, and respiratory failure.

An Indian company linked to the production and export of highly dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria, has been officially blacklisted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

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Investigations have revealed that Vinod Sharma, a businessman based on the outskirts of Mumbai, is in charge of producing and selling Tafrodol and Royal 225, which are powerful opioids that combine dangerously with Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, called the “tapenado.” According to the statement, “These substances pose serious health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death.”

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s investigation “uncovered how packets of these drugs, branded with the Aveo Pharmaceuticals logo, were discovered on the streets of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire,” the agency said.

Further investigation revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals is also involved in the illegal export of high-dose Tramadol over 100mg, a strength that NAFDAC did not register or approve. Vinod Sharma admitted to the widespread distribution of these opioids for use as street drugs throughout West Africa on covert surveillance footage.

NAFDAC has taken decisive action to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals and halt any pending registration of its products in Nigeria, according to the organization.

Source: Channels TV