The prohibition aims to combat the rising health crisis fueled by cheap and addictive drugs exported from India.
India Imposes Ban on Opioids Linked to West African Health Crisis
India Imposes Ban on Opioids Linked to West African Health Crisis
In a decisive move, Indian authorities have banned two opioids following a revealing investigation into their misuse in West Africa.
Amid growing concerns over the opioid crisis in West Africa, Indian health officials have implemented a ban on two highly addictive opioids—tapentadol and carisoprodol. This decision follows a groundbreaking investigation by the BBC which highlighted the detrimental impact these drugs are having in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire.
Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, India's Drugs Controller General, announced the ban in a directive that referenced the BBC's findings. Authorities discovered that a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company, Aveo, had been illicitly exporting these dangerous drugs, prompting a raid on their facility where all stock was confiscated.
The problematic combination of tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its potential for addiction, has no approved medical use globally due to severe side effects, including respiratory issues and seizures. Yet, these substances have gained popularity as street drugs in West Africa due to their low price and easy accessibility.
Publicly available data showed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals and its affiliated company, Westfin International, shipped millions of these addictive tablets to West African nations, with Nigeria identified as the largest market—where nearly four million citizens reportedly misuse opioids.
In a particularly alarming segment of the investigation, an undercover journalist posed as a businessman seeking to supply opioids to Nigeria and filmed a conversation with Aveo's director Vinod Sharma. During their meeting, Sharma acknowledged the dangerous nature of the pills but expressed indifference, stating, “this is business.”
As a result of the investigation, India's Food and Drug Administration has expressed its preparedness to take stern action against any illegal activities that may harm the country's reputation. In light of this scandal, the agency plans further inspections to ensure the prohibition is effective and that similar practices do not continue.
Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, India's Drugs Controller General, announced the ban in a directive that referenced the BBC's findings. Authorities discovered that a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company, Aveo, had been illicitly exporting these dangerous drugs, prompting a raid on their facility where all stock was confiscated.
The problematic combination of tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its potential for addiction, has no approved medical use globally due to severe side effects, including respiratory issues and seizures. Yet, these substances have gained popularity as street drugs in West Africa due to their low price and easy accessibility.
Publicly available data showed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals and its affiliated company, Westfin International, shipped millions of these addictive tablets to West African nations, with Nigeria identified as the largest market—where nearly four million citizens reportedly misuse opioids.
In a particularly alarming segment of the investigation, an undercover journalist posed as a businessman seeking to supply opioids to Nigeria and filmed a conversation with Aveo's director Vinod Sharma. During their meeting, Sharma acknowledged the dangerous nature of the pills but expressed indifference, stating, “this is business.”
As a result of the investigation, India's Food and Drug Administration has expressed its preparedness to take stern action against any illegal activities that may harm the country's reputation. In light of this scandal, the agency plans further inspections to ensure the prohibition is effective and that similar practices do not continue.
