India Acts to Ban Opioids Influencing West African Crisis

The Indian government has imposed a ban on the opioids tapentadol and carisoprodol, linked to escalating health issues in West Africa, following a BBC investigation that uncovered illegal exports by the pharmaceutical company Aveo.

 

In a decisive action aimed at addressing the burgeoning health crisis in West Africa, Indian authorities have officially banned two potent opioids, tapentadol and carisoprodol. This move comes on the heels of a detailed investigation by the BBC, which revealed alarming levels of abuse and illegal distribution of these substances across countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire.

According to a correspondence from India's Drugs Controller General, Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the permissions granted for the manufacture and export of these drugs have been annulled, reflecting the urgent need for public health intervention. The investigation pinpointed Aveo Pharmaceuticals, a Mumbai-based company, which was found to be illegally exporting these highly addictive combinations.

The Indian Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out a raid on Aveo's facility, leading to the confiscation of the entire stock. In his directive, Dr. Raghuvanshi cited not only the investigation itself but also the considerable risks associated with drug abuse that could adversely affect the population's welfare as reasons for the ban.

Tapentadol is recognized as a powerful opioid, while carisoprodol—a muscle relaxant—is so addictive that it is restricted across Europe. It is available in the United States, yet only for short-term use due to withdrawal symptoms, which can include anxiety, insomnia, and hallucinations. The combination of these two drugs is not approved for use anywhere globally, given their potential to cause critical side effects, including breathing difficulties and seizures.

Despite the dangers, these opioids have become notorious street drugs in West Africa, where they are both inexpensive and readily accessible. Evidence shows that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, along with its sister company Westfin International, has shipped millions of these drugs to West African countries. Reports highlight that packets of these pills are openly sold on the streets of Nigeria and in Ivoirian cities, further complicating the region's struggle against opioid addiction.

Nigeria, with its staggering population of 225 million, has become the largest market for these substances, with estimates indicating that four million citizens are affected by some form of opioid abuse, as noted by the National Bureau of Statistics.

An undercover investigation by the BBC unveiled troubling insights from an Aveo director, Vinod Sharma, who acknowledged the detrimental nature of the drugs while discussing their sales potential to adolescents in Nigeria. The footage captured Sharma stating, "this is very harmful for health," while simultaneously recognizing the lucrative aspects of this business.

Responding to the investigation, the FDA stated that all necessary actions against Aveo Pharmaceuticals would be pursued diligently to uphold the nation's integrity. Comprehensive inspections are set to be conducted to prevent any future illicit distribution of these harmful drugs.