An undercover investigation by BBC Eye has found that an Indian pharmaceutical company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, is illegally producing and exporting unlicensed opioids to Nigeria and other West African countries. This activity is contributing significantly to a public health crisis in the region. The documentary “India’s Opioid Kings” highlights how Aveo creates these addictive drugs under multiple brand names, containing a dangerous mix of potent ingredients.
The BBC investigation team captured live footage documenting the journey of unlicensed opioids from Aveo Pharmaceuticals in Mumbai to the streets of West Africa. The report reveals that these dangerous drugs, marketed under various brand names, are sold as common street drugs in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, posing significant health risks, including severe breathing problems and seizures, with overdoses often resulting in fatalities.
A press statement highlighted that Aveo Pharmaceuticals produces a range of pills, all containing a harmful mixture of tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a highly addictive muscle relaxant banned in Europe. This combination is not approved for use anywhere in the world and can cause life-threatening conditions. Despite the dangers, the opioids are prevalent as street drugs across many West African nations.
The investigation traced these drugs back to Aveo’s factory, where an undercover operative posed as an African businessman seeking to supply opioids to Nigeria. The operation included hidden camera footage of Aveo director Vinod Sharma showcasing the same hazardous products found on streets across West Africa.
In secretly recorded footage, an undercover operative tells Aveo Pharmaceuticals director Vinod Sharma about his plan to sell pills to teenagers in Nigeria, asserting that “they all love this product.” Sharma shows no concern and responds that taking two or three pills can help users “relax” and get “high.” Near the end of their meeting, he acknowledges the harmful effects of the pills, stating, “This is very harmful for their health — but nowadays, this is business.”
When the allegations were presented to Sharma and Aveo Pharmaceuticals, they did not respond. The Indian drugs regulator, CDSCO, emphasized its commitment to global public health and the enforcement of strict regulations on pharmaceutical exports. The agency urged importing countries to bolster their own regulatory systems in support of India’s efforts.
The CDSCO reported that it is addressing the issue with other nations, including those in West Africa, and is dedicated to collaborating with them to prevent pharmaceutical malpractice. The regulator pledged to take swift action against any company involved in such practices.
In response, Nigerian health authorities expressed regret over the situation but assured that they are intensifying efforts to combat the illegal opioid trade and have made progress in their initiatives. Pharm Shaba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, stated that the agency has recently seized narcotics worth billions of naira. He emphasized that pharmacists are knowledgeable about drug manufacturing and highlighted the inherent danger of combining tapentadol and carisoprodol, which creates a lethal mixture that cannot be approved anywhere due to its synergistic effects, enhancing the risks associated with each drug. This harmful combination is increasingly appearing in communities.
Recent raids in the open drug markets of Idumota and Onitsha have targeted sources of various narcotics. In Lagos, authorities seized 12 truckloads of counterfeit drugs, including narcotics from Idumota, with an estimated worth of billions. Some of these drugs were not acquired by legitimate companies and are set to be destroyed soon.
Pharm Yedunni Adenuga, Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances at NAFDAC, provided insights into the agency’s regulatory measures for medicines. She explained that all drugs, whether imported or locally manufactured, must undergo a registration process with NAFDAC. For narcotics, additional regulations are in place, requiring permits for importation and transport through entry ports. Only formulations of 100 mg or less are permitted for medical use, but the agency acknowledges the challenge posed by porous borders.
Dr. Taiwo Filusi, Director of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria in Lagos, added that the Council ensures compliance with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines for the proper distribution of medicines.
Sections 52, 60, and 61 of the relevant Act mandate that narcotics can only be handled by licensed professionals and must be stored in facilities inspected and registered by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). The PCN is actively working to address the issue of unlicensed individuals managing opioids, enforcing the law to hold them accountable.
In 2018, a BBC Eye investigation revealed significant gaps in the regulatory system of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry that were contributing to a codeine addiction crisis. The documentary titled *Sweet Sweet Codeine* exposed a well-organized syndicate that illegally distributed codeine syrup from manufacturers to unlicensed dealers, who then sold the highly addictive syrup to users.
As a result of this investigation, three pharmaceutical companies were shut down and sanctions were imposed. Additionally, the federal government prohibited over-the-counter sales of codeine-containing cough syrups.