The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC,has officially blacklisted an Indian company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited.

The company is accused of allegedly producing and importing dangerous opioid combinations into Nigeria and other West African countries.

This action was taken after the company was implicated in the illegal production and exportation of harmful drugs.

In a statement issued on Friday, signed by NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency accused Aveo Pharmaceuticals of manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225, which contain a dangerous combination of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant.

These drugs pose severe health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and even death.

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The statement also disclosed that an investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation, uncovered packets of these drugs, branded with the Aveo Pharmaceuticals logo, on the streets of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Further investigation confirmed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals was involved in the illegal exportation of high-dose Tramadol, exceeding 100mg, a strength not registered or approved by NAFDAC.

In undercover footage, Vinod Sharma, the company’s manager, was seen admitting to the mass distribution of these opioids for abuse across West Africa.

As a result of these findings, NAFDAC has taken immediate action to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals and block any future registration of its products in Nigeria.

The agency emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public health and enforcing international pharmaceutical regulations, including strict product registration, Good Manufacturing Practice inspections, post-marketing surveillance, and pre-shipment inspections for high-risk imports.

Reported by Channels TV