Indian Pharmaceutical Firm Exposed for Fueling West Africa's Opioid Crisis**

BBC Eye's investigation uncovers the role of Mumbai-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals in the proliferation of addictive opioids across West Africa. The findings highlight the detrimental impact on public health, pressuring local movements to combat drug abuse.**

In a troubling revelation, a recent investigation by BBC Eye has identified an Indian pharmaceutical company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, as a key player in the opioid crisis plaguing West African nations. The Mumbai-based company is reportedly manufacturing unlicensed and highly addictive opioids that are being illegally exported to countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire, where they have contributed significantly to a burgeoning public health emergency.

Aveo Pharmaceuticals produces a range of pills marketed under various names, containing a potent mix of tapentadol—a powerful opioid—and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant that is banned in Europe due to its addictive properties. Despite the grave risks associated with this concoction, these opioids are being sold as cheap street drugs throughout West African cities. Undercover investigative efforts by the BBC revealed that these drugs can be easily found for sale on the streets of Ghana and other neighbouring countries, with packets branded with Aveo's logo.

An undercover operative from the BBC managed to infiltrate Aveo's factory, posing as a potential supplier for the Nigerian market. The footage he captured included a conversation with Vinod Sharma, one of Aveo’s directors, who openly acknowledged the harmful nature of the product but dismissed concerns, emphasizing it as merely "business.” When the operative expressed intentions to sell the drugs to teenagers, Sharma was unfazed, even sharing how users could achieve a "high" by consuming two or three pills at once.

In Tamale, Ghana, where illicit opioid use has skyrocketed, local leaders have formed volunteer task forces to combat the crisis. Chief Alhassan Maham articulated the devastating effects of opioid addiction, stating, "The drugs consume the sanity of those who abuse them." The task force's efforts to raid drug deals exemplify the urgent need to address this health crisis. During a recent operation, the group seized tablets labeled Tafrodol, clearly indicating the troubling connection to Aveo Pharmaceuticals.

The BBC's investigation highlights a disturbing trend in West Africa, where opioids have become increasingly popular among youth, largely due to their affordability and availability. Nigeria, which boasts a population of 225 million, is a prominent market, with estimates indicating that around four million Nigerians engage in some form of opioid abuse.

Regulatory efforts have already been implemented in Nigeria since a 2018 investigation prompted stringent measures against the sale of tramadol. However, with the recent rise of Aveo’s products, authorities are now expressing concerns that the newly marketed opioids may serve as a substitute to bypass previous restrictions.

According to the investigation, the tapentadol-carisoprodol combination developed by Aveo is more dangerous than tramadol, raising alarm among health experts. Dr. Lekhansh Shukla from India’s National Institute of Mental Health noted the severe risks associated with this combination, which includes deep sleep that may lead to respiratory failure and overdose.

Despite the legal implications of exporting unlicensed drugs, Aveo continues to ship these harmful opioids to Ghana, raising questions about the enforcement of pharmaceutical laws in both India and the importing countries. The Indian drug regulatory body indicated its commitment to tackling such issues by reinforcing export regulations while also seeking collaboration with West African nations.

As local communities undertake efforts to mitigate the damage caused by these drugs, the actions of pharmaceutical companies like Aveo highlight a broader issue of accountability in global health. Addressing the consequences of unregulated pharmaceutical practices remains a pressing challenge for both local authorities and international regulatory bodies, as the battle against the opioid crisis continues to unfold across West Africa.