In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, an Indian pharmaceutical company, over its alleged involvement in the production and illegal importation of highly dangerous opioid-based drugs into West Africa, including Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency accused Aveo Pharmaceuticals of manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225—two drugs containing a hazardous cocktail of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant.
NAFDAC warned that these substances pose severe health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death. The agency emphasized that these drugs, originally intended for pain relief, have become widely abused, fueling the opioid crisis in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
An investigation conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) uncovered shocking evidence linking Aveo Pharmaceuticals to the illicit supply of these life-threatening drugs. Undercover footage reportedly captured Vinod Sharma, the company’s director, openly admitting to mass-exporting these opioids for street abuse across West Africa.
Further findings revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals is also responsible for the illegal exportation of high-dose Tramadol exceeding 100mg—a strength that is neither registered nor approved by NAFDAC due to its high potential for abuse and addiction.
In response to these alarming revelations, NAFDAC has officially blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals, barring the company from registering or distributing any of its products in Nigeria. The regulatory body reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health by enforcing stringent pharmaceutical regulations, including:
Strict product registration processes
Comprehensive Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections
Post-marketing surveillance to track drug safety
Pre-shipment inspections for high-risk pharmaceutical imports
NAFDAC reiterated its zero tolerance for illegal drug imports and warned that any pharmaceutical company found guilty of violating Nigerian drug laws would face severe consequences.
This latest action underscores the agency’s unyielding determination to combat the spread of deadly opioids and safeguard the lives of Nigerians.
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