India’s Ministry of Health has moved swiftly to ban the export and manufacturing of a dangerous combination of opioids, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, in response to a BBC investigation that uncovered their widespread abuse in parts of West Africa. The drugs, which are highly addictive and linked to a public health crisis in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, have been illegally exported by Aveo Pharmaceuticals, a Mumbai-based manufacturer.
In a letter from India’s Drug Controller General, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Ministry confirmed that all permissions to manufacture and export these opioids have been revoked. The combination of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe for its addictive nature, has been linked to severe health risks, including breathing difficulties, seizures, and fatal overdose.
The Indian authorities acted after uncovering that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, alongside its sister company Westfin International, had shipped millions of these harmful pills to West African countries. These opioids are being sold illegally in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, where they have gained popularity due to their affordability and easy availability.
Following this discovery, regulators conducted a raid on Aveo’s Mumbai facility, seizing all stock of the problematic drug combination. Additionally, the Ministry has ordered the withdrawal of Export No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and revised procedures to prevent further exports of these dangerous drugs. The government’s actions underscore its commitment to ensuring the safety of both domestic and global markets, maintaining strict regulatory oversight to combat the illegal export of unapproved substances.
Source: CNBC